shaving my head in support

Question:

It could change a lot. Sorry, but how? HOPE, Mary, it is all about the hope. Scientific progress is going to be the answer to those of us with Stage IV. Right now, we have a death sentence. JP can either be the scientist or fund the scientist. I don’t much care which or how he, or you, or the rest of us, do it.

Chris, I don’t like saying this but we’re ALL under a death sentence, it begins at conception. I’m grateful for the medical research which has saved – i.e. extended – my life at least twice (and to which I donate all my public speaking fees because of my gratitude) but does any of us want to go on for ever? And if not, when do we stop and how would we choose to die? And is either realistic? Will it ever happen? If it does, we’re going to get pretty crowded and needing more resources than we do now and Earth is already stretched to provide our extravagant lifestyles. Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Chris If it’s by raising money, that can be done by having a sponsored shave! One of our sons did that and raised a lot of money for the charity of my choice and I didn’t even have chemo! Walking in the ‘Race for the Cure’ won’t change an individual’s immediate case nor even give support to that individual. The future for the general is in research (as is the treatment we’ve been given). The present for the specific is in supporting those we know in whatever way we can. That could be by sharing the experience of being bald for a time. It would make me laugh and I’d know it would be done with love and thought and, perhaps, not a little sacrifice.. Mary

Response:

I sense some skepticism from our friends in the U.K. <G, though.

No, ann, but there are more ways of killing – or reviving – the cat …  Maybe this is one of those things that doesn’t translate cross-culturally, despite the fact that we all speak English <g?

Huh??? )))))))))))))))))))0 Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ann T.

Response:

It could change a lot. Sorry, but how?

HOPE, Mary, it is all about the hope. Scientific progress is going to be the answer to those of us with Stage IV. Right now, we have a death sentence. JP can either be the scientist or fund the scientist. I don’t much care which or how he, or you, or the rest of us, do it. Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If it’s by raising money, that can be done by having a sponsored shave! One of our sons did that and raised a lot of money for the charity of my choice and I didn’t even have chemo! Walking in the ‘Race for the Cure’ won’t change an individual’s immediate case nor even give support to that individual. The future for the general is in research (as is the treatment we’ve been given). The present for the specific is in supporting those we know in whatever way we can. That could be by sharing the experience of being bald for a time. It would make me laugh and I’d know it would be done with love and thought and, perhaps, not a little sacrifice.. Mary

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I want to walk in the Detroit "Race for the Cure" What will that change? It could change a lot. Sorry, but how? I think the object is to draw attention to the cause and so embarrass more of the general public into contributing towards research and care. I’ve no idea whether this is a sensible business model or just "seems like a good idea".  On the other hand it enables a lot of people to feel that they are "doing something about it".

Well, these things raise -massive- amounts of money that support research and other BC-related programs in the U.S.  There are several programs that I believe are nation-wide:  the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s "Race for the Cure", the Avon 3-day walks, the American Cancer Society’s "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" and "Relay for Life" (the latter supports programs related to all types of cancer). Yeah, I suppose it plays on guilt or embarassment to fund-raise (and certainly exploits friendships for fund-raising purposes, as participants usually collect pledges from others when they participate).   And Mary’s right, it isn’t a -individual- form of support. But I have to admit, when I can personally guilt-trip friends & co-workers into contributing maybe $1500 annually via these kinds of vehicles, I guess I do feel like this constitutes a tiny bit of "doing something about it".  It doesn’t substitute for individual support or volunteerism, it’s just another dimension. The "Race for the Cure" I walked in yesterday (in a driving snowstorm, thanks to Spring in Michigan!) brought out around 3,000 people in our mid-sized city, and raised over $145,000.  Of course, some of this goes for administrative or fund-raising costs, but usually a small fraction — not dissimilar from what happens in government-funded programs. In the U.S., this type of private fund-raising adds a lot, on top of government funding for cancer research, detection, and support programs.   So, it’s a big deal here. I sense some skepticism from our friends in the U.K. <G, though.  Maybe this is one of those things that doesn’t translate cross-culturally, despite the fact that we all speak English <g? Ann T.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You know when I first asked mom what she thought her first response was, "What will it change?" I want to walk in the Detroit "Race for the Cure" What will that change? It could change a lot. Sorry, but how?

I think the object is to draw attention to the cause and so embarrass more of the general public into contributing towards research and care. I’ve no idea whether this is a sensible business model or just "seems like a good idea".  On the other hand it enables a lot of people to feel that they are "doing something about it". — Tim Jackson -Who needs to pay Microsoft?  Free Open Source Software- www.mozilla.org       FIREFOX Web Browser,  THUNDERBIRD Email/News www.openoffice.org      Office Suite

Response:

It could change a lot.

Sorry, but how? If it’s by raising money, that can be done by having a sponsored shave! One of our sons did that and raised a lot of money for the charity of my choice and I didn’t even have chemo! Walking in the ‘Race for the Cure’ won’t change an individual’s immediate case nor even give support to that individual. The future for the general is in research (as is the treatment we’ve been given). The present for the specific is in supporting those we know in whatever way we can. That could be by sharing the experience of being bald for a time. It would make me laugh and I’d know it would be done with love and thought and, perhaps, not a little sacrifice.. Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I read a promising scientific article the other day that specified that the research had been supported in part by the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The only way us Stage IV people are going to live as long as we want to (and that includes any of you unlucky enough to join us in the future) is through scientific research. The more we support it, the more hope we can have. For that, I thank you JP. Chris You know when I first asked mom what she thought her first response was, "What will it change?" I want to walk in the Detroit "Race for the Cure" What will that change? Mary

Response:

most of her treatment has been pain management.  her doctors took a very aggressive tact and o.d’ed her on the cocktail of methodone, oxycodone and a patch.  (fenadol?)

Probably fentanyl.  In the US its brand name is the Duragesic Patch. Eva

Response:

Why not persuade her women friends to shave their heads? now that would be a hard sell.  i don’t even think i could get my sisters to do it.

I would but I don’t have sisters. I’d do it for a friendor one of my daughters or daughters in law or grand daughters. It’s no big deal, I had it done when I had brain surgery. I wanted to do it again to mark the 10th anniversary but my hairdresser wouldn’t. I stopped going to her. A grandson said, long afterwards, that he’d have done it, then a son did, I’ll have to think of another good reason. In fact it’s liberating, all that messy hair and hair care stuff gone – only for a short time though  It feels good, free, cool, seeing and stroking the new hair is lovely. I remember a local primary school where one of the children had chemo and lost her hair. The child’s whole class had a buzz so that she didn’t stand out. It was fun for them and a moving lesson to others. Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Mary JUST MY OPINION!  Eva

Response:

You know when I first asked mom what she thought her first response was, "What will it change?" I want to walk in the Detroit "Race for the Cure"

What will that change? Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

most of her treatment has been pain management.  her doctors took a very aggressive tact and o.d’ed her on the cocktail of methodone, oxycodone and a patch.  (fenadol?) Probably fentanyl.  In the US its brand name is the Duragesic Patch. Eva

Yes, we used those too, same brand in the UK.  They had just come out at the time.  We found it very powerful with much less side effects than morphine. The story of her becoming delusional is horrible, but familiar.  I found that sort of thing probably the worst part of caring for my wife, for a time she became convinced that I was conspiring with the doctors and nurses to murder her.  It is difficult to love someone who is constantly attacking you. — Tim Jackson

Response:

It could change a lot. I read a promising scientific article the other day that specified that the research had been supported in part by the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The only way us Stage IV people are going to live as long as we want to (and that includes any of you unlucky enough to join us in the future) is through scientific research. The more we support it, the more hope we can have. For that, I thank you JP. Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You know when I first asked mom what she thought her first response was, "What will it change?" I want to walk in the Detroit "Race for the Cure" What will that change? Mary

Response:

I agree a man shaving his head does not have the same impact. Bracklet is a good idea,though….how is your mother doing? Alex

Response:

I agree with everyone else. I told my wife I was shaving my head and she asked me if I’d lost my mind  ;-) My advice is to support Mum as best you can, and spend a little time contributing time to the breast cancer community, either locally or on the Internet.  Everyone has at least a story to share. BTW – my wife Deborah’s Stage IV diagnosis was in 1999 and she’s currently in remission for the second time.  Life is good. — allan we don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are. — Anais Nin

Response:

Allan, Did you wife ever get her dental implants? I am only asking since  I am going to get one. Alex —

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I agree with everyone else. I told my wife I was shaving my head and she asked me if I’d lost my mind  ;-) My advice is to support Mum as best you can, and spend a little time contributing time to the breast cancer community, either locally or on the Internet.  Everyone has at least a story to share. BTW – my wife Deborah’s Stage IV diagnosis was in 1999 and she’s currently in remission for the second time.  Life is good. — allan we don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are. — Anais Nin

Response:

Allan, Did you wife ever get her dental implants? I am only asking since  I am going to get one. Alex

Nope.  When they extracted her teeth there wasn’t enough bone left in her jaw for a full set of implants, so she decided if she still had to wear one plate she might as well wear two. Good luck, Alex  ;-) — allan we don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are. — Anais Nin

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, My mother was recently diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. As there is so little I can do to support her I thought I would shave my head as a small show of solidarity. I would like some of your opinions on this.  Would you appreciate this type of show of support or are you just indifferent? As a pleasant side effect, she let me cut her hair.  Not shaved but short enough to not make a mess when it falls out.  I am a 42 year old man. People make fun of me, in a friendly way, for being clumsy and generally rough.  One of the most treasured and intimate moments of my life.  I put out a tip jar for amusement. Thank you in advance.  God Bless I think it’s wonderful that you want to make a visible gesture to show your support, but shaving your head won’t really help, since you’re a guy and guys shave their heads all the time!  How about going on a cancer walk or making a substantial donation to a cancer-support organization instead? JUST MY OPINION!  Eva

You know when I first asked mom what she thought her first response was, "What will it change?" I want to walk in the Detroit "Race for the Cure"

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, My mother was recently diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. As there is so little I can do to support her I thought I would shave my head as a small show of solidarity. I would like some of your opinions on this.  Would you appreciate this type of show of support or are you just indifferent? As a pleasant side effect, she let me cut her hair.  Not shaved but short enough to not make a mess when it falls out.  I am a 42 year old man. People make fun of me, in a friendly way, for being clumsy and generally rough.  One of the most treasured and intimate moments of my life.  I put out a tip jar for amusement. Thank you in advance.  God Bless I think it’s wonderful that you want to make a visible gesture to show your support, but shaving your head won’t really help, since you’re a guy and guys shave their heads all the time! That was my reaction too, I’m glad you said it. How about going on a cancer walk or making a substantial donation to a cancer-support organization instead? That wouldn’t show solidarity with his mother though, I assume she’s having/hadchemo. Why not persuade her women friends to shave their heads?

now that would be a hard sell.  i don’t even think i could get my sisters to do it. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Mary JUST MY OPINION!  Eva

Response:

I agree a man shaving his head does not have the same impact. Bracklet is a good idea,though….how is your mother doing? Alex

btw a bracelet is a good idea

Response:

I agree a man shaving his head does not have the same impact. Bracklet is a good idea,though….how is your mother doing? Alex

she is well.   she has broken at least 3 ribs.  she had a comprssion fracture in her t-11 vertabrea.  they did surgery and fixed it.   most of her treatment has been pain management.  her doctors took a very aggressive tact and o.d’ed her on the cocktail of methodone, oxycodone and a patch.  (fenadol?) in the process of diagnosing she went in for a mri.  she was given ativan as a mild sedative.  she had a nasty reaction to of some sort.  it didn’t get documented.  her next mri came up and her technician/ dr. gave her a double dose.  she was dillusional insane.  i didn’t get to see her for a day or two, my being a truck driver.  when i did she was in bed, moaning in pain.  "help me.  will someone please help me?  where are my kids?"  we were right there.  she advised me not to come because they were taking hostages. and her mouth was bloodied, scabbed fron the chemo.  probably the most traumatic experience of my life.   she is better now and back to living from her divine spirit.  she has moved to a nursing home and loves it. JP

Response:

thank you all.   http://www.pinkribbonshop.com  is where i’m ordering mine. JP

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, My mother was recently diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. As there is so little I can do to support her I thought I would shave my head as a small show of solidarity. I would like some of your opinions on this.  Would you appreciate this type of show of support or are you just indifferent? As a pleasant side effect, she let me cut her hair.  Not shaved but short enough to not make a mess when it falls out.  I am a 42 year old man. People make fun of me, in a friendly way, for being clumsy and generally rough.  One of the most treasured and intimate moments of my life.  I put out a tip jar for amusement. Thank you in advance.  God Bless JP

         Hi,             would like to echo what everyone else has said…. I have suggested that my friends (women, cos as you say lots of men choose to shave their heads)  but have had no takers as of yet…surprise, surprise…Don’t think I would relish the thought, if roles reversed…not the most flattering  style…..and it won’t do any physical good…Nice gesture tho, JP    Hope your mum gets on OK…..Just being there and helping her with jobs when she’s tired would be appreciated, I’m sure…                  JMHO    Pam xx

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, My mother was recently diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. As there is so little I can do to support her I thought I would shave my head as a small show of solidarity. I would like some of your opinions on this.  Would you appreciate this type of show of support or are you just indifferent? As a pleasant side effect, she let me cut her hair.  Not shaved but short enough to not make a mess when it falls out.  I am a 42 year old man. People make fun of me, in a friendly way, for being clumsy and generally rough.  One of the most treasured and intimate moments of my life.  I put out a tip jar for amusement. Thank you in advance.  God Bless I think it’s wonderful that you want to make a visible gesture to show your support, but shaving your head won’t really help, since you’re a guy and guys shave their heads all the time!

That was my reaction too, I’m glad you said it. How about going on a cancer walk or making a substantial donation to a cancer-support organization instead?

That wouldn’t show solidarity with his mother though, I assume she’s having/hadchemo. Why not persuade her women friends to shave their heads? Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – JUST MY OPINION!  Eva

Response:

I think this is really about whether your mother would find it supportive or not. I, personally, did not care if my husband shaved his head. I think it is very different for a woman to be without hair than a man. On the other hand, if this is about you making a statement about breast cancer, you might get more mileage with a breast cancer bracelet (like the yellow Lance Armstrong, but pink, of course). I think people would be more likely to ask you about that (and then hopefully be supportive, support breast cancer in general, etc.) than if you shaved your head. I could be wrong though. What is most helpful, I suspect, is that you are there for your mother and thinking about how to be supportive and helpful of her. Cutting her hair sounds nice. Having stage 4 breast cancer is a marathon, not a sprint. Regular contact, making her some meals and otherwise pitching in when she is tired, going to decision making appointments, etc, all really add up. That stuff if important and loving long after all the hair grows back. Chris Stage 4 since diagnosis in 2001 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, My mother was recently diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.   As there is so little I can do to support her I thought I would shave my head as a small show of solidarity. I would like some of your opinions on this.  Would you appreciate this type of show of support or are you just indifferent? As a pleasant side effect, she let me cut her hair.  Not shaved but short enough to not make a mess when it falls out.  I am a 42 year old man.   People make fun of me, in a friendly way, for being clumsy and generally rough.  One of the most treasured and intimate moments of my life.  I put out a tip jar for amusement. Thank you in advance.  God Bless JP

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, My mother was recently diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. As there is so little I can do to support her I thought I would shave my head as a small show of solidarity. I would like some of your opinions on this.  Would you appreciate this type of show of support or are you just indifferent? As a pleasant side effect, she let me cut her hair.  Not shaved but short enough to not make a mess when it falls out.  I am a 42 year old man. People make fun of me, in a friendly way, for being clumsy and generally rough.  One of the most treasured and intimate moments of my life.  I put out a tip jar for amusement. Thank you in advance.  God Bless

I think it’s wonderful that you want to make a visible gesture to show your support, but shaving your head won’t really help, since you’re a guy and guys shave their heads all the time!  How about going on a cancer walk or making a substantial donation to a cancer-support organization instead? JUST MY OPINION!  Eva

Response:

Hello all, My mother was recently diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.   As there is so little I can do to support her I thought I would shave my head as a small show of solidarity. I would like some of your opinions on this.  Would you appreciate this type of show of support or are you just indifferent? As a pleasant side effect, she let me cut her hair.  Not shaved but short enough to not make a mess when it falls out.  I am a 42 year old man.   People make fun of me, in a friendly way, for being clumsy and generally rough.  One of the most treasured and intimate moments of my life.  I put out a tip jar for amusement. Thank you in advance.  God Bless JP

Response:

Ladies

Question:

This one really got to me; actually was crying after reading it (but it was a good cry). mike I did not realize the price difference in the stamps were that little….I would like to see this ugly disease fought too! Please read the following story and follow the instructions at the end! Thank You. Like most elementary schools, it was typical to have a parade of students in  and out of the health clinic throughout the day. We dispensed ice for bumps and bruises, Band-Aids for cuts, and liberal doses of sympathy and hugs. As principal, my office was right next door to the clinic, so I often dropped  in to lend a hand and help out with the hugs. I knew that for some kids,   mine might be the only one they got all day. One morning I was putting a Band-Aid on a little girl’s scraped knee. Her  blonde hair was matted, and I noticed that she was shivering in her thin  little sleeveless blouse. I found her a warm sweatshirt and helped her pull  it on. "Thanks for taking care of me," she whispered as she climbed into my  lap and snuggled up against me. It wasn’t long after that when I ran across an unfamiliar lump under my arm. Cancer, an aggressively spreading kind, had already invaded thirteen of my  lymph nodes. I pondered whether or not to tell the students about my diagnosis.  The word breast seemed so hard to say out loud to them, and the  word cancer seemed so frightening. When it became evident that the children were going to find out one way or another, either the straight scoop from me or possibly a garbled version from someone else, I decided to tell them  myself. It wasn’t easy to get the words out, but the empathy and concern I   saw in their faces as I explained it to them told me I had made the right  decision. When I gave them a chance to ask questions, they mostly wanted to know how they could help. I told them that what I would like best would be their letters, pictures and prayers. I stood by the gym door as the children solemnly filed out. My little blonde friend darted out of line and threw  herself into my arms.  Then she stepped back to look up into my face.   "Don’t be afraid, Dr. Perry," she said earnestly, "I know you’ll be back  because now it’s our turn to take care of you." No one could have ever done a better job. The kids sent me off to my first chemotherapy session with a hilarious book of nausea remedies that they had  written. A video of every class in the school singing get-well songs  accompanied me to the next chemotherapy appointment. By the third visit,  the nurses were waiting at the door to find out what I would bring next. It was  a delicate music box that played "I Will Always Love You." Even when I went into isolation at the hospital for a bone marrow transplant, the letters and pictures kept coming until they covered every  wall of my room. Then the kids traced their hands onto colored paper, cut them out and glued  them together to make a freestanding rainbow of helping hands. "I feel like   I’ve stepped into Disneyland every time I walk into this room," my doctor  laughed. That was even before the six-foot apple blossom tree arrived  adorned with messages written on paper apples from the students and teachers. What healing comfort I found in being surrounded by these tokens  of their caring. At long last I was well enough to return to work.  As I headed up the road  to the school, I was suddenly overcome by doubts. What if the kids have   forgotten all about me? I wondered, What if they don’t want a skinny bald  principal? What if . I caught sight of the school marquee as I rounded   the bend. "Welcome Back, Dr. Perry," it read. As I drew closer, everywhere   I looked were pink ribbons – ribbons in the windows, tied on the doorknobs,  even up in the trees. The children and staff wore pink ribbons, too. My blonde buddy was first in line to greet me.  "You’re back, Dr. Perry, you’re back!" she called.  "See, I told you we’d take care of you!" As I  hugged her tight, in the back of my mind I faintly heard my music box  playing . . . "I will always love you." We need those of you who are great at forwarding on information with your e-mail network. Please read and pass this on. It would be wonderful if   2005  were the year a cure for breast cancer was found!!!! This is one email you should be glad to pass on  The notion that we could raise $35 million by buying a book of stamps is powerful! As you may be  aware, the US Postal Service recently released its new "Fund the Cure"    stamp to help fund breast cancer research. The stamp was designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland. It is important that we take a stand against this disease that affects so many of our Mothers, Sisters and Friends. Instead of the normal 37 cents for a stamp, this one costs 40 cents The additional 3 cents will go to breast cancer research. A "normal" book costs   $7.40. This one is only $8.00. It takes a few minutes in line at the Post Office and means so much. If all stamps are sold, it will raise an additional $35,000,000 for this vital research. Just as important as the money is our support.  What a statement it would make if the stamp outsold  the lottery this week. What a statement it would make that we care. I urge you to do two things TODAY: 1. Go out and purchase some of these stamps. 2. E-mail your friends to do the same.  Many of us know women and their families whose lives are turned upside-down by breast cancer.

Response:

Ladies, This one really got to me; actually was crying after reading it (but it was a good cry). Mike I did not realize the price difference in the stamps were that little….I would like to see this ugly disease fought too! Please read the following story and follow the instructions at the end! Thank You. Like most elementary schools, it was typical to have a parade of students in  and out of the health clinic throughout the day. We dispensed ice for bumps and bruises, Band-Aids for cuts, and liberal doses of sympathy and hugs. As principal, my office was right next door to the clinic, so I often dropped  in to lend a hand and help out with the hugs. I knew that for some kids,   mine might be the only one they got all day. One morning I was putting a Band-Aid on a little girl’s scraped knee. Her  blonde hair was matted, and I noticed that she was shivering in her thin  little sleeveless blouse. I found her a warm sweatshirt and helped her pull  it on. "Thanks for taking care of me," she whispered as she climbed into my  lap and snuggled up against me. It wasn’t long after that when I ran across an unfamiliar lump under my arm. Cancer, an aggressively spreading kind, had already invaded thirteen of my  lymph nodes. I pondered whether or not to tell the students about my diagnosis.  The word breast seemed so hard to say out loud to them, and the  word cancer seemed so frightening. When it became evident that the children were going to find out one way or another, either the straight scoop from me or possibly a garbled version from someone else, I decided to tell them  myself. It wasn’t easy to get the words out, but the empathy and concern I   saw in their faces as I explained it to them told me I had made the right  decision. When I gave them a chance to ask questions, they mostly wanted to know how they could help. I told them that what I would like best would be their letters, pictures and prayers. I stood by the gym door as the children solemnly filed out. My little blonde friend darted out of line and threw  herself into my arms.  Then she stepped back to look up into my face.   "Don’t be afraid, Dr. Perry," she said earnestly, "I know you’ll be back  because now it’s our turn to take care of you." No one could have ever done a better job. The kids sent me off to my first chemotherapy session with a hilarious book of nausea remedies that they had  written. A video of every class in the school singing get-well songs  accompanied me to the next chemotherapy appointment. By the third visit,  the nurses were waiting at the door to find out what I would bring next. It was  a delicate music box that played "I Will Always Love You." Even when I went into isolation at the hospital for a bone marrow transplant, the letters and pictures kept coming until they covered every  wall of my room. Then the kids traced their hands onto colored paper, cut them out and glued  them together to make a freestanding rainbow of helping hands. "I feel like   I’ve stepped into Disneyland every time I walk into this room," my doctor  laughed. That was even before the six-foot apple blossom tree arrived  adorned with messages written on paper apples from the students and teachers. What healing comfort I found in being surrounded by these tokens  of their caring. At long last I was well enough to return to work.  As I headed up the road  to the school, I was suddenly overcome by doubts. What if the kids have   forgotten all about me? I wondered, What if they don’t want a skinny bald  principal? What if . I caught sight of the school marquee as I rounded   the bend. "Welcome Back, Dr. Perry," it read. As I drew closer, everywhere   I looked were pink ribbons – ribbons in the windows, tied on the doorknobs,  even up in the trees. The children and staff wore pink ribbons, too. My blonde buddy was first in line to greet me.  "You’re back, Dr. Perry, you’re back!" she called.  "See, I told you we’d take care of you!" As I  hugged her tight, in the back of my mind I faintly heard my music box  playing . . . "I will always love you." We need those of you who are great at forwarding on information with your e-mail network. Please read and pass this on. It would be wonderful if   2005  were the year a cure for breast cancer was found!!!! This is one email you should be glad to pass on  The notion that we could raise $35 million by buying a book of stamps is powerful! As you may be  aware, the US Postal Service recently released its new "Fund the Cure"    stamp to help fund breast cancer research. The stamp was designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland. It is important that we take a stand against this disease that affects so many of our Mothers, Sisters and Friends. Instead of the normal 37 cents for a stamp, this one costs 40 cents The additional 3 cents will go to breast cancer research. A "normal" book costs   $7.40. This one is only $8.00. It takes a few minutes in line at the Post Office and means so much. If all stamps are sold, it will raise an additional $35,000,000 for this vital research. Just as important as the money is our support.  What a statement it would make if the stamp outsold  the lottery this week. What a statement it would make that we care. I urge you to do two things TODAY: 1. Go out and purchase some of these stamps. 2. E-mail your friends to do the same.  Many of us know women and their families whose lives are turned upside-down by breast cancer.

Response:

one of those halloween emale tings funne OT

Question:

Ten ting that sound dirtee on Halloween 10. She’s a goblin! 9. I’d like to get a little something in the sack tonight. 8. Just get on your hands and knees and bob your head. 7. She’s got a couple of nice pumpkins on her porch. 6. If you just lick it, it will last longer. 5. Let me see your big sack. 4. Can I eat your zagnuts? 3. Have your mom check it before you put it in your mouth. 2. You scared me stiff! And the dirtiest sounding but not-dirty Halloween saying is… He’s got candy spread out on the living room floor!

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Ten ting that sound dirtee on Halloween >10. She’s a goblin! >9. I’d like to get a little something >in the sack tonight. >8. Just get on your hands and >knees and bob your head. >7. She’s got a couple of nice >pumpkins on her porch. >6. If you just lick it, >it will last longer. >5. Let me see your big sack. >4. Can I eat your zagnuts? >3. Have your mom check it >before you put it in your mouth. >2. You scared me stiff! >And the dirtiest sounding but >not-dirty Halloween saying is… >He’s got candy spread out >on the living room floor!

Today, I went for a hike up the mountain. On my way I saw like 1000+ chicks doing a breast cancer walk on the sidewalk. Many had pink tee’s, there was an event van on the road that said, save a boob, and bras hanging all over it. was funny.   i was checking out all the chicks walking, most had big boobs. Then I saw a chick in tights and then i started checking for camel toes.   The weather was nice, 76-78 deg, if it was 100+ some of those breast cancer walkers might have got skin cancer.

Response:

OT: Buy Stamps

Question:

  Mag, I get a reminder every day from the Hunger site which also has the breast cancer, children, rain forest and animal sites.  I’m glad I get the email because I would forget otherwise.   Gwen   =======================================================   "I don’t mind growing old, many people are denied that privilege."   =======================================================   "Margaret M." <maggie…@REMOVE.houston.rr.com> wrote in message news:LZAWb.7644$ng6.26@fe2.texas.rr.com…   | Cindy wrote:   | > We never know when we might be next. Bye some stamps and write a   | > letter to someone.GOD BLESS   |   | another GREAT way to help fund free mammograms for women is by   | visiting this website.  I have the link saved to my desktop so I   | remember to click on the button on the page every day.  I do this for   | the breast cancer, feed an animal, hunger site and child healthcare   | buttons located lower on the page after you click on the button.  It   | costs you nothing, and the sponsors donate toward the charities for   | the number of hits on each page. No spamming either.   |   | The site is:   | http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CTDSites   | They do have a pop-up ad.   | Mag   |   |

Response:

Conundrum wrote: > I rather give an extra dollar up than get screwed out of it. >  At least here we know where the buck is going. > Dave > Walter A. Hanks <walt.ha…@comcast.net> wrote: > > CORRECTION:  I just looked this up on the USPS website.  The stamps > > are $0.45 each, not $0.40 as this story says.  That’s $9.00 per book, > not $8.00. > > <snip>

Thanks for the correction. J

Response:

Hey, sounds like a good time for a plug for: Arthritis Warriors – Team number 7 http://www.bensonpolymeric.com/folding/index.html Thanks for your help! Ichy "Norman" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> wrote in message > Besides the donation to cancer research, they also help remind > people about the need to find a cure.

Response:

Cindy wrote: > We never know when we might be next. Bye some stamps and write a > letter to someone.GOD BLESS

another GREAT way to help fund free mammograms for women is by visiting this website.  I have the link saved to my desktop so I remember to click on the button on the page every day.  I do this for the breast cancer, feed an animal, hunger site and child healthcare buttons located lower on the page after you click on the button.  It costs you nothing, and the sponsors donate toward the charities for the number of hits on each page. No spamming either. The site is: http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CTDSites They do have a pop-up ad. Mag

Response:

My post office was out but I did try. He said they may get more in, thats good in one way, at least someone bought them all. janice "Cindy" <cindy…@somewhere.com> wrote in message

news:KhAVb.1574$jy7.168@newssvr23.news.prodigy.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We never know when we might be next. Bye some stamps and write a letter to > someone.GOD BLESS > >Please read the following story and follow the instructions at the > end! > >Thanks. > >Like most elementary schools, it was typical to have a parade of > >students in and out of the health clinic throughout the day. We > dispensed > >ice for bumps and bruises, Band-Aids for cuts, and liberal doses of > >sympathy and hugs. > >As principal, my office was right next door to the clinic, so I often > >dropped in to lend a hand and help out with the hugs. I knew that > for some > >kids, mine might be the only one they got all day. > >One morning I was putting a Band-Aid on a little girl’s scraped knee. > >Her blonde hair was matted, and I noticed that she was shivering in > her > >thin little sleeveless blouse. I found her a warm sweatshirt and > helped her > >pull it on.. > >"Thanks for taking care of me," she whispered as she climbed into my > >lap and snuggled up against me. > >It wasn’t long after that when I ran across an unfamiliar lump under > my > >arm. > >Cancer, an aggressively spreading kind, had already invaded thirteen > of my > >lymph nodes. I pondered whether or not to tell the students about my > >diagnosis. > >The word breast seemed so hard to say out loud to them, and the word > >cancer seemed so frightening. When it became evident that the > children were > >going to find out one way or another, either the straight scoop from > me or > >possibly a garbled version from > >someone else, I decided to tell them myself. It wasn’t easy to get > the > >words out, but the empathy and concern I saw in their faces as I > explained > >it to them told me I had made the right decision. When I gave them a > chance > >to ask questions, they mostly wanted to know > >how they could help. I told them that what I would like best would be > >their letters, pictures and prayers. I stood by the gym door as the > >children solemnly filed out. My little blonde friend darted out of > line and > >threw herself into > >my arms. Then she stepped back to look up into my face. "Don’t be > >afraid,  Dr.Perry," she said earnestly, "I know you’ll be back > because now > >it’s our turn to take care of you." > >No one could have ever done a better job. The kids sent me off to my > >first chemotherapy session with a hilarious book of nausea remedies > that > >they had written. A video of every class in the school singing > get-well > >songs accompanied me to the next chemotherapy appointment. By the > third > >visit, the nurses were waiting at the door to find out what I would > bring > >next. > >It was a delicate music box that played "I Will Always Love You." > Even > >when I went into isolation at the hospital for a bone marrow > transplant, > >the letters and pictures kept coming until they covered every wall > of my > >room. > >Then the kids traced their hands onto colored paper, cut them out and > >glued them together to make a freestanding rainbow of helping hands. > "I > >feel like I’ve stepped into Disneyland every time I walk into this > room," > >my doctor laughed. That was even before the six-foot apple blossom > tree > >arrived adorned with messages written on paper apples from the > students and > >teachers. What healing comfort I found in being > >surrounded by these tokens of their caring. > >At long last I was well enough to return to work. As I headed up the > >road to the school, I was suddenly overcome by doubts. What if the > kids > >have forgotten all about me? I wondered, What if they don’t want a > skinny > >bald principal? > >What if . . . I caught sight of the school marquee as I rounded the > >bend. > >"Welcome Back, Dr. Perry," it read. As I drew closer, everywhere I > >looked were pink ribbons – ribbons in the windows, tied on the > doorknobs, > >even up in the trees. > >The children and staff wore pink ribbons, too. > >My blonde buddy was first in line to greet me. "You’re back, Dr. > Perry, > >you’re back!" she called. "See, I told you we’d take care of you!" > As I > >hugged her tight, in the back of my mind I faintly heard my music box > >playing . . . "I will always love you." > >Subject: Breast Cancer Stamp Booklet Dear Sisters, > >We need those of you who are great at forwarding on information with > >your e-mail network. Please read and pass this on. It would be > wonderful if > >2003-04 were the year a cure for breast cancer was found!!!! > >This is one email you should be glad to pass on. The notion that we > >could raise $35 million by buying a book of stamps is powerful! As > you may > >be aware, the US Postal Service recently released its new "Fund the > Cure" > >stamp to help fund breast cancer research. The stamp was designed by > Ethel > >Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland It is important that we take a stand > against > >this disease that affects so many of our Mothers, Sisters and > Friends. > >Instead of the normal 37 cents for a stamp, this one costs 40 > >cents.The additional 3 cents will go to breast cancer research. A > "normal" > >book costs > >$7..40. This one is only $8.00. It takes a few minutes in line at the > >Post Office and means so much. If all stamps are sold, it will raise > an > >additional $35,000,000 for this vital research. Just as > >important as the money is our support. What a statement it would make > >if the stamp outsold the lottery this week What a statement it would > make > >that we care. > >I urge you to do two things TODAY: > >1. Go out and purchase some of these stamps. > >2. E-mail your friends to do the same. > >Many of us know women and their families whose lives are turned > >upside-down by breast cancer. It takes so little to do so much in > this > >drive. We can all afford the $0.60. Please help & pass it on. > >Have a wonderful day!

Response:

In article <4027024B.7070…@comcast.net>, walt.ha…@comcast.net says… > CORRECTION:  I just looked this up on the USPS website.  The stamps are > $0.45 each, not $0.40 as this story says.  That’s $9.00 per book, not $8.00. > Yes, it’s still worth it in my book. > Walt Hanks

They were $0.40 until the last postages rate increase, then they went up to $0.45 each. I’ve been using them for several years for all mailings. Besides the donation to cancer research, they also help remind people about the need to find a cure. — "One of the most striking differences between a cat  and a lie is that a cat only has nine lives."  Puddinhead Wilson’s Calendar (Mark Twain) —– mr(dot)bones(at)att(dot)net

Response:

I rather give an extra dollar up than get screwed out of it.  At least here we know where the buck is going. Dave Walter A. Hanks <walt.ha…@comcast.net> wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> CORRECTION:  I just looked this up on the USPS website.  The stamps > are $0.45 each, not $0.40 as this story says.  That’s $9.00 per book, > not $8.00. > Yes, it’s still worth it in my book. > Walt Hanks > Cindy wrote: >> We never know when we might be next. Bye some stamps and write a >> letter to someone.GOD BLESS >>> Please read the following story and follow the instructions at the >> end! >>> Thanks. >>> Like most elementary schools, it was typical to have a parade of >>> students in and out of the health clinic throughout the day. We >> dispensed >>> ice for bumps and bruises, Band-Aids for cuts, and liberal doses of >>> sympathy and hugs. >>> As principal, my office was right next door to the clinic, so I >>> often dropped in to lend a hand and help out with the hugs. I knew >>> that >> for some >>> kids, mine might be the only one they got all day. >>> One morning I was putting a Band-Aid on a little girl’s scraped >>> knee. Her blonde hair was matted, and I noticed that she was >>> shivering in >> her >>> thin little sleeveless blouse. I found her a warm sweatshirt and >> helped her >>> pull it on.. >>> "Thanks for taking care of me," she whispered as she climbed into my >>> lap and snuggled up against me. >>> It wasn’t long after that when I ran across an unfamiliar lump under >> my >>> arm. >>> Cancer, an aggressively spreading kind, had already invaded thirteen >> of my >>> lymph nodes. I pondered whether or not to tell the students about my >>> diagnosis. >>> The word breast seemed so hard to say out loud to them, and the word >>> cancer seemed so frightening. When it became evident that the >> children were >>> going to find out one way or another, either the straight scoop from >> me or >>> possibly a garbled version from >>> someone else, I decided to tell them myself. It wasn’t easy to get >> the >>> words out, but the empathy and concern I saw in their faces as I >> explained >>> it to them told me I had made the right decision. When I gave them a >> chance >>> to ask questions, they mostly wanted to know >>> how they could help. I told them that what I would like best would >>> be their letters, pictures and prayers. I stood by the gym door as >>> the children solemnly filed out. My little blonde friend darted out >>> of >> line and >>> threw herself into >>> my arms. Then she stepped back to look up into my face. "Don’t be >>> afraid,  Dr.Perry," she said earnestly, "I know you’ll be back >> because now >>> it’s our turn to take care of you." >>> No one could have ever done a better job. The kids sent me off to my >>> first chemotherapy session with a hilarious book of nausea remedies >> that >>> they had written. A video of every class in the school singing >> get-well >>> songs accompanied me to the next chemotherapy appointment. By the >> third >>> visit, the nurses were waiting at the door to find out what I would >> bring >>> next. >>> It was a delicate music box that played "I Will Always Love You." >> Even >>> when I went into isolation at the hospital for a bone marrow >> transplant, >>> the letters and pictures kept coming until they covered every wall >> of my >>> room. >>> Then the kids traced their hands onto colored paper, cut them out >>> and glued them together to make a freestanding rainbow of helping >>> hands. >> "I >>> feel like I’ve stepped into Disneyland every time I walk into this >> room," >>> my doctor laughed. That was even before the six-foot apple blossom >> tree >>> arrived adorned with messages written on paper apples from the >> students and >>> teachers. What healing comfort I found in being >>> surrounded by these tokens of their caring. >>> At long last I was well enough to return to work. As I headed up the >>> road to the school, I was suddenly overcome by doubts. What if the >> kids >>> have forgotten all about me? I wondered, What if they don’t want a >> skinny >>> bald principal? >>> What if . . . I caught sight of the school marquee as I rounded the >>> bend. >>> "Welcome Back, Dr. Perry," it read. As I drew closer, everywhere I >>> looked were pink ribbons – ribbons in the windows, tied on the >> doorknobs, >>> even up in the trees. >>> The children and staff wore pink ribbons, too. >>> My blonde buddy was first in line to greet me. "You’re back, Dr. >> Perry, >>> you’re back!" she called. "See, I told you we’d take care of you!" >> As I >>> hugged her tight, in the back of my mind I faintly heard my music >>> box playing . . . "I will always love you." >>> Subject: Breast Cancer Stamp Booklet Dear Sisters, >>> We need those of you who are great at forwarding on information with >>> your e-mail network. Please read and pass this on. It would be >> wonderful if >>> 2003-04 were the year a cure for breast cancer was found!!!! >>> This is one email you should be glad to pass on. The notion that we >>> could raise $35 million by buying a book of stamps is powerful! As >> you may >>> be aware, the US Postal Service recently released its new "Fund the >> Cure" >>> stamp to help fund breast cancer research. The stamp was designed by >> Ethel >>> Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland It is important that we take a stand >> against >>> this disease that affects so many of our Mothers, Sisters and >> Friends. >>> Instead of the normal 37 cents for a stamp, this one costs 40 >>> cents.The additional 3 cents will go to breast cancer research. A >> "normal" >>> book costs >>> $7..40. This one is only $8.00. It takes a few minutes in line at >>> the Post Office and means so much. If all stamps are sold, it will >>> raise >> an >>> additional $35,000,000 for this vital research. Just as >>> important as the money is our support. What a statement it would >>> make if the stamp outsold the lottery this week What a statement it >>> would >> make >>> that we care. >>> I urge you to do two things TODAY: >>> 1. Go out and purchase some of these stamps. >>> 2. E-mail your friends to do the same. >>> Many of us know women and their families whose lives are turned >>> upside-down by breast cancer. It takes so little to do so much in >> this >>> drive. We can all afford the $0.60. Please help & pass it on. >>> Have a wonderful day!

Response:

CORRECTION:  I just looked this up on the USPS website.  The stamps are $0.45 each, not $0.40 as this story says.  That’s $9.00 per book, not $8.00. Yes, it’s still worth it in my book. Walt Hanks – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Cindy wrote: > We never know when we might be next. Bye some stamps and write a letter to > someone.GOD BLESS >>Please read the following story and follow the instructions at the > end! >>Thanks. >>Like most elementary schools, it was typical to have a parade of >>students in and out of the health clinic throughout the day. We > dispensed >>ice for bumps and bruises, Band-Aids for cuts, and liberal doses of >>sympathy and hugs. >>As principal, my office was right next door to the clinic, so I often >>dropped in to lend a hand and help out with the hugs. I knew that > for some >>kids, mine might be the only one they got all day. >>One morning I was putting a Band-Aid on a little girl’s scraped knee. >>Her blonde hair was matted, and I noticed that she was shivering in > her >>thin little sleeveless blouse. I found her a warm sweatshirt and > helped her >>pull it on.. >>"Thanks for taking care of me," she whispered as she climbed into my >>lap and snuggled up against me. >>It wasn’t long after that when I ran across an unfamiliar lump under > my >>arm. >>Cancer, an aggressively spreading kind, had already invaded thirteen > of my >>lymph nodes. I pondered whether or not to tell the students about my >>diagnosis. >>The word breast seemed so hard to say out loud to them, and the word >>cancer seemed so frightening. When it became evident that the > children were >>going to find out one way or another, either the straight scoop from > me or >>possibly a garbled version from >>someone else, I decided to tell them myself. It wasn’t easy to get > the >>words out, but the empathy and concern I saw in their faces as I > explained >>it to them told me I had made the right decision. When I gave them a > chance >>to ask questions, they mostly wanted to know >>how they could help. I told them that what I would like best would be >>their letters, pictures and prayers. I stood by the gym door as the >>children solemnly filed out. My little blonde friend darted out of > line and >>threw herself into >>my arms. Then she stepped back to look up into my face. "Don’t be >>afraid,  Dr.Perry," she said earnestly, "I know you’ll be back > because now >>it’s our turn to take care of you." >>No one could have ever done a better job. The kids sent me off to my >>first chemotherapy session with a hilarious book of nausea remedies > that >>they had written. A video of every class in the school singing > get-well >>songs accompanied me to the next chemotherapy appointment. By the > third >>visit, the nurses were waiting at the door to find out what I would > bring >>next. >>It was a delicate music box that played "I Will Always Love You." > Even >>when I went into isolation at the hospital for a bone marrow > transplant, >>the letters and pictures kept coming until they covered every wall > of my >>room. >>Then the kids traced their hands onto colored paper, cut them out and >>glued them together to make a freestanding rainbow of helping hands. > "I >>feel like I’ve stepped into Disneyland every time I walk into this > room," >>my doctor laughed. That was even before the six-foot apple blossom > tree >>arrived adorned with messages written on paper apples from the > students and >>teachers. What healing comfort I found in being >>surrounded by these tokens of their caring. >>At long last I was well enough to return to work. As I headed up the >>road to the school, I was suddenly overcome by doubts. What if the > kids >>have forgotten all about me? I wondered, What if they don’t want a > skinny >>bald principal? >>What if . . . I caught sight of the school marquee as I rounded the >>bend. >>"Welcome Back, Dr. Perry," it read. As I drew closer, everywhere I >>looked were pink ribbons – ribbons in the windows, tied on the > doorknobs, >>even up in the trees. >>The children and staff wore pink ribbons, too. >>My blonde buddy was first in line to greet me. "You’re back, Dr. > Perry, >>you’re back!" she called. "See, I told you we’d take care of you!" > As I >>hugged her tight, in the back of my mind I faintly heard my music box >>playing . . . "I will always love you." >>Subject: Breast Cancer Stamp Booklet Dear Sisters, >>We need those of you who are great at forwarding on information with >>your e-mail network. Please read and pass this on. It would be > wonderful if >>2003-04 were the year a cure for breast cancer was found!!!! >>This is one email you should be glad to pass on. The notion that we >>could raise $35 million by buying a book of stamps is powerful! As > you may >>be aware, the US Postal Service recently released its new "Fund the > Cure" >>stamp to help fund breast cancer research. The stamp was designed by > Ethel >>Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland It is important that we take a stand > against >>this disease that affects so many of our Mothers, Sisters and > Friends. >>Instead of the normal 37 cents for a stamp, this one costs 40 >>cents.The additional 3 cents will go to breast cancer research. A > "normal" >>book costs >>$7..40. This one is only $8.00. It takes a few minutes in line at the >>Post Office and means so much. If all stamps are sold, it will raise > an >>additional $35,000,000 for this vital research. Just as >>important as the money is our support. What a statement it would make >>if the stamp outsold the lottery this week What a statement it would > make >>that we care. >>I urge you to do two things TODAY: >>1. Go out and purchase some of these stamps. >>2. E-mail your friends to do the same. >>Many of us know women and their families whose lives are turned >>upside-down by breast cancer. It takes so little to do so much in > this >>drive. We can all afford the $0.60. Please help & pass it on. >>Have a wonderful day!

– Walt Hanks, C.H.E.S. ============================================================== Conformity and uniformity are the twin mothers of mediocrity. Excellence is born of individuality and noncomformity. ==============================================================

Response:

We never know when we might be next. Bye some stamps and write a letter to someone.GOD BLESS – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Please read the following story and follow the instructions at the end! >Thanks. >Like most elementary schools, it was typical to have a parade of >students in and out of the health clinic throughout the day. We dispensed >ice for bumps and bruises, Band-Aids for cuts, and liberal doses of >sympathy and hugs. >As principal, my office was right next door to the clinic, so I often >dropped in to lend a hand and help out with the hugs. I knew that for some >kids, mine might be the only one they got all day. >One morning I was putting a Band-Aid on a little girl’s scraped knee. >Her blonde hair was matted, and I noticed that she was shivering in her >thin little sleeveless blouse. I found her a warm sweatshirt and helped her >pull it on.. >"Thanks for taking care of me," she whispered as she climbed into my >lap and snuggled up against me. >It wasn’t long after that when I ran across an unfamiliar lump under my >arm. >Cancer, an aggressively spreading kind, had already invaded thirteen of my >lymph nodes. I pondered whether or not to tell the students about my >diagnosis. >The word breast seemed so hard to say out loud to them, and the word >cancer seemed so frightening. When it became evident that the children were >going to find out one way or another, either the straight scoop from me or >possibly a garbled version from >someone else, I decided to tell them myself. It wasn’t easy to get the >words out, but the empathy and concern I saw in their faces as I explained >it to them told me I had made the right decision. When I gave them a chance >to ask questions, they mostly wanted to know >how they could help. I told them that what I would like best would be >their letters, pictures and prayers. I stood by the gym door as the >children solemnly filed out. My little blonde friend darted out of line and >threw herself into >my arms. Then she stepped back to look up into my face. "Don’t be >afraid,  Dr.Perry," she said earnestly, "I know you’ll be back because now >it’s our turn to take care of you." >No one could have ever done a better job. The kids sent me off to my >first chemotherapy session with a hilarious book of nausea remedies that >they had written. A video of every class in the school singing get-well >songs accompanied me to the next chemotherapy appointment. By the third >visit, the nurses were waiting at the door to find out what I would bring >next. >It was a delicate music box that played "I Will Always Love You." Even >when I went into isolation at the hospital for a bone marrow transplant, >the letters and pictures kept coming until they covered every wall of my >room. >Then the kids traced their hands onto colored paper, cut them out and >glued them together to make a freestanding rainbow of helping hands. "I >feel like I’ve stepped into Disneyland every time I walk into this room," >my doctor laughed. That was even before the six-foot apple blossom tree >arrived adorned with messages written on paper apples from the students and >teachers. What healing comfort I found in being >surrounded by these tokens of their caring. >At long last I was well enough to return to work. As I headed up the >road to the school, I was suddenly overcome by doubts. What if the kids >have forgotten all about me? I wondered, What if they don’t want a skinny >bald principal? >What if . . . I caught sight of the school marquee as I rounded the >bend. >"Welcome Back, Dr. Perry," it read. As I drew closer, everywhere I >looked were pink ribbons – ribbons in the windows, tied on the doorknobs, >even up in the trees. >The children and staff wore pink ribbons, too. >My blonde buddy was first in line to greet me. "You’re back, Dr. Perry, >you’re back!" she called. "See, I told you we’d take care of you!" As I >hugged her tight, in the back of my mind I faintly heard my music box >playing . . . "I will always love you." >Subject: Breast Cancer Stamp Booklet Dear Sisters, >We need those of you who are great at forwarding on information with >your e-mail network. Please read and pass this on. It would be wonderful if >2003-04 were the year a cure for breast cancer was found!!!! >This is one email you should be glad to pass on. The notion that we >could raise $35 million by buying a book of stamps is powerful! As you may >be aware, the US Postal Service recently released its new "Fund the Cure" >stamp to help fund breast cancer research. The stamp was designed by Ethel >Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland It is important that we take a stand against >this disease that affects so many of our Mothers, Sisters and Friends. >Instead of the normal 37 cents for a stamp, this one costs 40 >cents.The additional 3 cents will go to breast cancer research. A "normal" >book costs >$7..40. This one is only $8.00. It takes a few minutes in line at the >Post Office and means so much. If all stamps are sold, it will raise an >additional $35,000,000 for this vital research. Just as >important as the money is our support. What a statement it would make >if the stamp outsold the lottery this week What a statement it would make >that we care. >I urge you to do two things TODAY: >1. Go out and purchase some of these stamps. >2. E-mail your friends to do the same. >Many of us know women and their families whose lives are turned >upside-down by breast cancer. It takes so little to do so much in this >drive. We can all afford the $0.60. Please help & pass it on. >Have a wonderful day!

Response:

I will, Cindy… thank you for sharing this very important information! donnah "Cindy" <cindy…@somewhere.com> wrote in message

news:KhAVb.1574$jy7.168@newssvr23.news.prodigy.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We never know when we might be next. Bye some stamps and write a letter to > someone.GOD BLESS > >Please read the following story and follow the instructions at the > end! > >Thanks. > >Like most elementary schools, it was typical to have a parade of > >students in and out of the health clinic throughout the day. We > dispensed > >ice for bumps and bruises, Band-Aids for cuts, and liberal doses of > >sympathy and hugs. > >As principal, my office was right next door to the clinic, so I often > >dropped in to lend a hand and help out with the hugs. I knew that > for some > >kids, mine might be the only one they got all day. > >One morning I was putting a Band-Aid on a little girl’s scraped knee. > >Her blonde hair was matted, and I noticed that she was shivering in > her > >thin little sleeveless blouse. I found her a warm sweatshirt and > helped her > >pull it on.. > >"Thanks for taking care of me," she whispered as she climbed into my > >lap and snuggled up against me. > >It wasn’t long after that when I ran across an unfamiliar lump under > my > >arm. > >Cancer, an aggressively spreading kind, had already invaded thirteen > of my > >lymph nodes. I pondered whether or not to tell the students about my > >diagnosis. > >The word breast seemed so hard to say out loud to them, and the word > >cancer seemed so frightening. When it became evident that the > children were > >going to find out one way or another, either the straight scoop from > me or > >possibly a garbled version from > >someone else, I decided to tell them myself. It wasn’t easy to get > the > >words out, but the empathy and concern I saw in their faces as I > explained > >it to them told me I had made the right decision. When I gave them a > chance > >to ask questions, they mostly wanted to know > >how they could help. I told them that what I would like best would be > >their letters, pictures and prayers. I stood by the gym door as the > >children solemnly filed out. My little blonde friend darted out of > line and > >threw herself into > >my arms. Then she stepped back to look up into my face. "Don’t be > >afraid,  Dr.Perry," she said earnestly, "I know you’ll be back > because now > >it’s our turn to take care of you." > >No one could have ever done a better job. The kids sent me off to my > >first chemotherapy session with a hilarious book of nausea remedies > that > >they had written. A video of every class in the school singing > get-well > >songs accompanied me to the next chemotherapy appointment. By the > third > >visit, the nurses were waiting at the door to find out what I would > bring > >next. > >It was a delicate music box that played "I Will Always Love You." > Even > >when I went into isolation at the hospital for a bone marrow > transplant, > >the letters and pictures kept coming until they covered every wall > of my > >room. > >Then the kids traced their hands onto colored paper, cut them out and > >glued them together to make a freestanding rainbow of helping hands. > "I > >feel like I’ve stepped into Disneyland every time I walk into this > room," > >my doctor laughed. That was even before the six-foot apple blossom > tree > >arrived adorned with messages written on paper apples from the > students and > >teachers. What healing comfort I found in being > >surrounded by these tokens of their caring. > >At long last I was well enough to return to work. As I headed up the > >road to the school, I was suddenly overcome by doubts. What if the > kids > >have forgotten all about me? I wondered, What if they don’t want a > skinny > >bald principal? > >What if . . . I caught sight of the school marquee as I rounded the > >bend. > >"Welcome Back, Dr. Perry," it read. As I drew closer, everywhere I > >looked were pink ribbons – ribbons in the windows, tied on the > doorknobs, > >even up in the trees. > >The children and staff wore pink ribbons, too. > >My blonde buddy was first in line to greet me. "You’re back, Dr. > Perry, > >you’re back!" she called. "See, I told you we’d take care of you!" > As I > >hugged her tight, in the back of my mind I faintly heard my music box > >playing . . . "I will always love you." > >Subject: Breast Cancer Stamp Booklet Dear Sisters, > >We need those of you who are great at forwarding on information with > >your e-mail network. Please read and pass this on. It would be > wonderful if > >2003-04 were the year a cure for breast cancer was found!!!! > >This is one email you should be glad to pass on. The notion that we > >could raise $35 million by buying a book of stamps is powerful! As > you may > >be aware, the US Postal Service recently released its new "Fund the > Cure" > >stamp to help fund breast cancer research. The stamp was designed by > Ethel > >Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland It is important that we take a stand > against > >this disease that affects so many of our Mothers, Sisters and > Friends. > >Instead of the normal 37 cents for a stamp, this one costs 40 > >cents.The additional 3 cents will go to breast cancer research. A > "normal" > >book costs > >$7..40. This one is only $8.00. It takes a few minutes in line at the > >Post Office and means so much. If all stamps are sold, it will raise > an > >additional $35,000,000 for this vital research. Just as > >important as the money is our support. What a statement it would make > >if the stamp outsold the lottery this week What a statement it would > make > >that we care. > >I urge you to do two things TODAY: > >1. Go out and purchase some of these stamps. > >2. E-mail your friends to do the same. > >Many of us know women and their families whose lives are turned > >upside-down by breast cancer. It takes so little to do so much in > this > >drive. We can all afford the $0.60. Please help & pass it on. > >Have a wonderful day!

Response:

Stroke is a woman's disease, too – Overweight couch potatoes with high blood pressure.

Question:

| | SAN DIEGO, Feb. 6 (UPI) — About 700,000 Americans will have a stroke this | year and odds are most of them will be overweight couch potatoes with high | blood pressure and early signs of diabetes — and a good number of them | will be women. This is very amusing to me.  When I had a brain stem stroke in 1998, I was very active, physically fit, the right weight for my height, and had no sign of diabetes.  Oh, and I’m a man.  I guess I really am a freak! — Peter website:  http://users.thelink.net/marengo

Response:

<marengo(at)thelink.net(change at to @ to reply) tripped the light fantastic, then quipped: | | SAN DIEGO, Feb. 6 (UPI) — About 700,000 Americans will have a stroke this | year and odds are most of them will be overweight couch potatoes with high | blood pressure and early signs of diabetes — and a good number of them | will be women. This is very amusing to me.  When I had a brain stem stroke in 1998, I was very active, physically fit, the right weight for my height, and had no sign of diabetes.  Oh, and I’m a man.  I guess I really am a freak!

I’m overweight (caused by Prednisone) but far from obese.  I’m a wheelchair pilot, but that doesn’t mean I lie around and veg (though I have bad lupus days where I have to stay in bed).  My blood pressure averages 85/90 without the benefit of any medication, and I’m not a diabetic.  I’ve had several strokes, though, due to blood clots. About the only applicable fact from this article is that I’m a woman. I didn’t see the rest of th article, but it seems to be overly generalized. Tee http://www.geocities.com/tee_king Remove -no-spam- to email me.

Response:

Stroke is a woman’s disease, too By Peggy Peck United Press International SAN DIEGO, Feb. 6 (UPI) — About 700,000 Americans will have a stroke this year and odds are most of them will be overweight couch potatoes with high blood pressure and early signs of diabetes — and a good number of them will be women. Women have a one-in-five lifetime risk of of stroke, while the equivalent risk for men is one in six, Dr. Sudha Seshadri, assistant professor of neurology at Boston University School of Medicine, told United Press International. That is almost twice a woman’s lifetime risk for breast cancer, which is estimated at one in nine. "What this means is that stroke — just like heart disease — is a women’s disease," she said. Using data from the ongoing Framingham Heart Study, Seshadri was able to present the first snapshot of lifetime stroke risk for Americans. She collected data from 5,000 middle-aged, stroke-free volunteers in the study. The volunteers were followed every two years for up to 40 years or until they were diagnosed with a first stroke, she said. Seshadri presented her findings at the 29th International Stroke Conference. During follow-up, 859 of the volunteers suffered a first stroke and most of those strokes — 86 percent — were caused by blood clots that cut off the blood supply to the brain. In addition to lifetime risk, Seshadri’s team calculated short term risk by 10-year intervals: at ages 55, 65, 75 and 85. The risk was higher for women at age 55, about the same for men and women at ages 65 and 75, but at age 85, "the risk for stroke risk for women was 16 percent, while for men it was just 9 percent." She women — and men as well — can reduce their stroke risk significantly by keeping their blood pressure under control. "That means a blood pressure of less than 120 systolic and less than 80 diastolic," she said. "So instead of a one in five chance a woman would have about a one in 10 chance." The lesson, said Seshadri, is women need to pay as much — and possibly more — attention to stroke risk factors than men do. "Controlling blood pressure and avoiding smoking are especially important," she said. Beyond smoking and high blood pressure, stroke recently has been linked to a group of risk factors called the metabolic syndrome. Components of the metabolic syndrome include a waist measurement of more than 40 inches for men and more than 35 for women, blood pressure of 130/85 milligrams of mercury, or mmHg, or higher and high triglycerides or low HDL — the so-called good cholesterol. Evidence of the syndrome also includes not metabolizing sugar properly — considered a pre-diabetic state — elevated levels of blood-clotting factors, and elevated C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker found in the blood and considered a sign of heart disease. A person showing at least three of these risk factors meets the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Stroke expert Dr. Edgar J. Kenton III, a clinical professor of neurology at Thomas Jefferson University in Wynnewood, Pa., told UPI that high blood pressure accounts for about 60 percent of strokes, but added he thinks metabolic syndrome could explain most of the other 40 percent as well. Dr. Bernadette Boden-Albala of Columbia University in New York said an ongoing study of almost 3,300 residents of the city suggest metabolic syndrome is responsible for "35 percent of strokes seen in Hispanics. That means that if we could eliminate the metabolic syndrome in this population we could reduce the number of strokes by 35 percent." Likewise, a second study from the Framingham researchers found metabolic syndrome was responsible for about 20 percent of the strokes in the mostly white study population. Not everyone is convinced emphasizing risks associated with the metabolic syndrome is an effective preventive strategy, however. Dr. George Howard, professor and chairman of the department of biostatistics at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, told UPI not all risk factors are equal. "We know high blood pressure is the 800 pound gorilla of stroke," he said, explaining that high blood pressure is probably the most significant risk factor. The metabolic syndrome, Howard continued, gives equal weight to all risk factors "but says that if you have more than three of these factors, that is a problem." He said he suspects that, taken together, these risk factors add up to trouble and he is worried people will walk away with a false sense of security if they have "only one or two risk factors." Howard noted he is significantly overweight himself, "and that is a real risk for me," but "I have a good risk profile if you consider the other risk factors." He added he knows he cannot afford to overlook his weight problem simply because "my blood pressure is good." Considering that 5.2 million people worldwide died of stroke in 2001, Howard said, "we need to treat all risk factors." — Ken "I want to tell you about a school in Houston.  It’s a school for ‘at risk’ children. In other words, folks, these are children who can’t learn." – G.W. Bush, presidential debates

Response:

Earth shoes?

Question:

I have never worn Earth shoes, but I know that I can hardly wait for the weather to warm up enough that I can again wear my beloved Birkenstock-knockoff sandals (heel is not lower, but I don’t think it’s higher either). Anne Lurie Raleigh, NC

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was wondering if anybody here has experience with Earth shoes.  This is the brand that has the "negative heel" so that "your foot can be as nature intended."  I am thinking that if I got a pair of these shoes and only wore them a few days a week, it would wind up making my Achilles tendon hurt. Anybody? Pat in TX

Response:

I get earth shoes from walmart. they are nice. (never heard of weird kinds of low heel etc..) they are just normal shoes. the only thing i hate it that the dies they use (all natural etc.. supposedly) always leak ALL OVER my socks. and I mean lots of die. they are very nice though and cheap and quite durable. Chris Taylor http://www.nerys.com/

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have never worn Earth shoes, but I know that I can hardly wait for the weather to warm up enough that I can again wear my beloved Birkenstock-knockoff sandals (heel is not lower, but I don’t think it’s higher either).

Response:

It’s "dye", you stupid fat fuck. — JC Eat less, exercise more. — – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I get earth shoes from walmart. they are nice. (never heard of weird kinds of low heel etc..) they are just normal shoes. the only thing i hate it that the dies they use (all natural etc.. supposedly) always leak ALL OVER my socks. and I mean lots of die. they are very nice though and cheap and quite durable. Chris Taylor http://www.nerys.com/ I have never worn Earth shoes, but I know that I can hardly wait for the weather to warm up enough that I can again wear my beloved Birkenstock-knockoff sandals (heel is not lower, but I don’t think it’s higher either).

Response:

Earth shoes are wonderful, but they are not for everybody. I was suffering from a terrible case of plantar fascittis (http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/987116429.html) after walking in a 60 mile walk to raise money for breast cancer. I was destined to wear tennis shoes with good arch support the rest of my life. I had tried physical therapy, icing, stretching, ultra sound therapy, taping my feet – nothing helped. It was summer and it was hot and I wanted sandals. I found the earth shoes and WOW. The negative heel allowed my facia to rest on the arch support and literally it massaged it every time I walked. I did eventually find a chiropractor who specializes in limbs and between her and the earth shoes I am a new person. One who can walk not only out of necessity but also for exercise. However, not all people have the same results. For some the negative heel causes the arch to be too high and causes pain in the arch. — Melisa http://www.users.qwest.net/~ztimm/blog/

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was wondering if anybody here has experience with Earth shoes.  This is the brand that has the "negative heel" so that "your foot can be as nature intended."  I am thinking that if I got a pair of these shoes and only wore them a few days a week, it would wind up making my Achilles tendon hurt. Anybody? Pat in TX

Response:

I was wondering if anybody here has experience with Earth shoes.  This is the brand that has the "negative heel" so that "your foot can be as nature intended."  I am thinking that if I got a pair of these shoes and only wore them a few days a week, it would wind up making my Achilles tendon hurt.

I have a pair.  They definitely give my calves a workout if I go for a long walk in them.  For ordinary wear, though, they are quite comfortable. carla

Response:

Do people tell you about other people whom have died from cancer?

Question:

How do you deal with people who insist on telling you things you neither want, nor need, to hear, about people who have died of cancer? particularly when you  obviously cannot identify who is going to do it in advance, and therefore warn them off. Also, how true can it be that once you have had cancer cells, they will always come back – and how can I reassure Janet that this ladys’ opinion is wrong, and out of date?

I simply ignore them.  As for the older lady – I’ve heard that if you don’t die of old age or something else, eventually everyone will end up with cancer. That might be what she’s thinking.  I figure if I die from cancer when I’m in my late 80’s or 90’s….I don’t have anything to complain about  I’m certainly not going to stop and worry about it now (at age 45) or start picking out a coffin!   Sue – DivaofDVC   aka WDW1972 DVC ‘97   OKW, Beach Club, Vero Beach, & Hilton Head

Response:

Hi, Over the past few months, Janet has become increasingly upset by people, seemingly in all innocence, who tell her about their friend, or mum, or friend of a friend, who had cancer, went into remission, but it came back 5 years, or 10 years, or 15 years later, and they died.

[snip] Richard, I’ve faced this problem a few times with friends of my wife.  If they’re also friends of mine I make it a point to let them know that I’m trying to maintain a positive mental outlook around the house and would appreciate their help.  If they’re mainly friends of Gloria’s I stay out of it but let Gloria know her friends are wrong. Keep reminding yourself that statistics and group averages only apply to the whole group and tell you very little (if anything) about individual cases.  Hope this helps a little. – Tony P.S. If the folks making the comment are mainly friends of mine I don’t hesitate to ask them to please refrain in the future. — Tony Lima                        /"   ASCII ribbon campaign                                   /   against HTML mail                                   X    and postings                                  /

Response:

It seemed to me that as I approached 50, death came into my life.  Prior to my wife’s illness I had hardly encountered serious illness among my acquaintances.  Then a year after my wife died, my best friend died (bowel cancer), and my wife’s best friend’s mother in law died (breast cancer), and it seems that everyone was telling me about their friends and relatives who had or had died of cancer. Did I want to know?  Of course not, but I’m afraid it comes with the turf. Just the same as everyone wanted to tell my Russian wife whenever there was a documentary about Russia on the television.  "Yes" she said,  "I’ve been there, I’ve seen it." I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful, but I think it is another of the things you have to learn to cope with.  Think of it as part of growing up. As to your 80 year old, I would say  that not only is she right but I would go one step further and say you don’t even need the cancer cells.  I doubt if there is an 80-year-old on the planet who has not got some sort of cancer going on, slowly and quietly in the background, that they never know of. For all of us it is not a matter of "if" we will die but "when", and the same applies to cancer, the only way we escape it is to die of something else first. So there is no need for her words to frighten Janet unless she thought she was immortal, and I am sure she did not mean to frighten her. We use words like "survive", "cure", "save" loosely, as if once cured of cancer we can avoid it happening again, as if a life once saved will never be lost.  Unlike say, measles, cancer can come to all of us at any time, whether we have had it before or not.  And those of us who have had it once, quite apart from possible metastasis, have demonstrated a probable propensity for producing cancers and so are at higher risk of getting it again just for that reason. Tim Jackson

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Over the past few months, Janet has become increasingly upset by people, seemingly in all innocence, who tell her about their friend, or mum, or friend of a friend, who had cancer, went into remission, but it came back 5 years, or 10 years, or 15 years later, and they died. Today, a lady who we like, who is 80 years old, and who is terminally ill with bladder cancer, told Janet that "once you have had cancer cells in your body, you can never get rid of them, and they WILL come back. It is a matter of when, not if". This woman is the sprightliest, cheeriest 80 year old you could ever wish to meet. She also used to be a nurse at Christies Hospital, (presumably quite some time ago). She is a lovely lady and I am sure that she would not intentionally want to frighten Janet. This has really worried Janet, even though rationally, it seems more sensible to believe the statistics which say that most people survive breast cancer these days. So….. How do you deal with people who insist on telling you things you neither want, nor need, to hear, about people who have died of cancer? particularly when you  obviously cannot identify who is going to do it in advance, and therefore warn them off. Also, how true can it be that once you have had cancer cells, they will always come back – and how can I reassure Janet that this ladys’ opinion is wrong, and out of date? Many Thanks — Richard Faulkner

Response:

" Where can she go to hear tales of women who have had breast cancer and lived to 100 – or 70, or 80 ?? Hi Richard, I don’t qualify for the 70-80 year ld thing, but I am now a 20 year survivor.  I was 35 at the time of my diagnosis.  I am thankful daily that I have been in reasonably good health since then. Wishing your wife many, many years of good health too. Barb

Thanks again to all. I hope there will be more reports of long life after BC. — Richard Faulkner

Response:

Hi, Over the past few months, Janet has become increasingly upset by people, seemingly in all innocence, who tell her about their friend, or mum, or friend of a friend, who had cancer, went into remission, but it came back 5 years, or 10 years, or 15 years later, and they died.

  I had the opposite experience, a rather amazing thing.   I’d been in the surgical waiting room; my wife was undergoing a lumpectomy.  The surgeon came in, and said it looked malignant.     As he left, another "sitter" piped up.  He’d heard what I’d been told, and said "What you need now is some case histories.  My mother had breast cancer 14 years ago, and is healthy as a racehorse!"   What an upper!  JUST what I needed to hear!   How do you deal with people who insist on telling you things you neither want, nor need, to hear, about people who have died of cancer?

  I stop them immediatly, and tell them that I want to hear only GOOD news.  They usually walk away looking shocked.   — Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association

Response:

" Where can she go to hear tales of women who have had breast cancer and lived to 100 – or 70, or 80 ??

Hi Richard, I don’t qualify for the 70-80 year ld thing, but I am now a 20 year survivor.  I was 35 at the time of my diagnosis.  I am thankful daily that I have been in reasonably good health since then. Wishing your wife many, many years of good health too. Barb

Response:

Where can she go to hear tales of women who have had breast cancer and lived to 100 – or 70, or 80 ??

Right here.  My mother was diagnosed 17 years ago.  She had a lumpectomy and radiation and will celebrate her 81st birthday in February.  I’m 7 years out from diagnosis myself. …lisa

Response:

Where can she go to hear tales of women who have had breast cancer and lived to 100 – or 70, or 80 ?? Right here.  My mother was diagnosed 17 years ago.  She had a lumpectomy and radiation and will celebrate her 81st birthday in February.  I’m 7 years out from diagnosis myself.

My aunt and her daughter were both diagnosed around the same time, now over 9 years ago.  Aunt’s now in her 70s, and cousin just over 50. My local support group has several participants who go back to the founding of the group, around 12 years ago, or longer.  Most of them were in their 30s when diagnosed, and the usual expectation is for young women’s BC to be more aggressive. One woman on my BC survivors rowing team is 17 years out at age 58. Another, though only 5 years out, was diagnosed at about age 35 as stage 4 (non-local lymph node involvement) and is now NED (!) after two bone marrow transplants.  A third, age 50, is 5 years out from a stage 3 diagnosis and also NED. I’m only at 3 years myself (following a stage 3 diagnosis), but hopeful . . . despite losing my mother (at age 82) to BC. Ann T.

Response:

Richard wrote << Where can she go to hear tales of women who have had breast cancer and lived to 100 – or 70, or 80 ?? I met several on the 3-day walk who were long-term survivors.  My aunt is a 22 year survivor.  My friends mother (who is now deceased) was close to a 40 year survivor.  

Response:

Richard I had another thought re (Richard wrote << Where can she go to hear tales of women who have had breast cancer and lived to 100 – or 70, or 80 ??) What helped me was watching the TV biography of the Lance Armstrong story. That gave me the impetus to sign up for the Susan G. Komen breast cancer 3-day.  Another thing that helped me was the book, KITCHEN TABLE WISDOM, by Rachel Komen.  Now, believe me–and am sure you may be able to surmise from the many posts re my fears, that I still think breast cancer sucks and am concerned about what is happening to me.  I write about it here when it happens.  I am able to forget–most times–when I feel good.  Getting involved in other things helps, but all the stuff that I have done online has helped even more.  Perhaps it would help Janet if she started writing here or to another online support group?

Response:

Where can she go to hear tales of women who have had breast cancer and lived to 100 – or 70, or 80 ??

Here.  There are also cancer support groups in most cities and suburbs.  However, I’d advise attending a couple of meetings before she makes a commitment to a particular group. There’s a magazine called "Coping With Cancer" that tells many of the stories you want to hear.  Give it a try.  Best luck. – Tony — Tony Lima                        /"   ASCII ribbon campaign                                   /   against HTML mail                                   X    and postings                                  /

Response:

<< How do you deal with people who insist on telling you things you neither want, nor need, to hear, about people who have died of cancer? particularly when you  obviously cannot identify who is going to do it in advance, and therefore warn them off. Hmm, that’s a tough one and my response is emotionally not always the best.  i don’t have the nerve to tell them that is not what i want to be hearing—at least most of them.  Generally, I listen politely and internally discredit them.  There is so much they don’t know.  Generally, the people who have said these things are not those with the highest SQ or EQ (social quotient or emotional quotient) and have their own emotional baggage–at least the ones that I have encountered.

It remains a tough one. Thanks to those who have replied. I guess there is no easy answer. Janet listens like you do, then gets annoyed, and rants after the event. She usually commits to tearing a strip of the next person to do it – but doesnt. Where can she go to hear tales of women who have had breast cancer and lived to 100 – or 70, or 80 ?? — Richard Faulkner

Response:

If I had to vote on "best answer" to Richard’s e-mail, I would definitely pick yours- it brightened my day.  As one who is coping with the beast (breast cancer) I can use all the lightening up there is out there!  And, of course, you made a very valid point wrt the old age.  Thanks!!! Kate

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How do you deal with people who insist on telling you things you neither want, nor need, to hear, about people who have died of cancer? particularly when you  obviously cannot identify who is going to do it in advance, and therefore warn them off. Also, how true can it be that once you have had cancer cells, they will always come back – and how can I reassure Janet that this ladys’ opinion is wrong, and out of date? I simply ignore them.  As for the older lady – I’ve heard that if you don’t die of old age or something else, eventually everyone will end up with cancer. That might be what she’s thinking.  I figure if I die from cancer when I’m in my late 80’s or 90’s….I don’t have anything to complain about  I’m certainly not going to stop and worry about it now (at age 45) or start picking out a coffin! Sue – DivaofDVC   aka WDW1972 DVC ‘97   OKW, Beach Club, Vero Beach, & Hilton Head

Response:

<< How do you deal with people who insist on telling you things you neither want, nor need, to hear, about people who have died of cancer? particularly when you  obviously cannot identify who is going to do it in advance, and therefore warn them off. Hmm, that’s a tough one and my response is emotionally not always the best.  i don’t have the nerve to tell them that is not what i want to be hearing—at least most of them.  Generally, I listen politely and internally discredit them.  There is so much they don’t know.  Generally, the people who have said these things are not those with the highest SQ or EQ (social quotient or emotional quotient) and have their own emotional baggage–at least the ones that I have encountered.   I can’t recall the exact figures–but if I remember correctly about 200,000 are dx’d with breast cancer each year (in the U.S., I think–but could be wrong about that) and about 46,000 to 50,000 die from breast cancer each year. However, the %age of those who are not surviving is decreasing, meaning that those more recently dx’d generally have an improved chance for longer term remission. My husband used to do cancer research.  His feelings are that once someone has enough cancer cells in their body for cancer to be dx’d then there are always or at least almost always some remaining cancer cells or the propensity for your body to creat more since the mutation is there.  From what I gather those who have the best chance for cure are those whose cancer was discovered in its earliest stages. However, that does not mean a bleak or even negative outlook for others. Researchers are working on how to extend remission for different cancers.   Hopefully that will include breast cancer. I wish I had some constructive answers  but each of us is different along those lines.  What has helped me is being proactive–which includes finding out as much as I can about b.c.  Other things that have helped have been me is being involved in related, positive activities–i.e. doing the Susan G. Komen 3-day breast cancer walk as well as participating in the American Cancer Society’s ‘Relay for Life."

Response:

Hi, Over the past few months, Janet has become increasingly upset by people, seemingly in all innocence, who tell her about their friend, or mum, or friend of a friend, who had cancer, went into remission, but it came back 5 years, or 10 years, or 15 years later, and they died. Today, a lady who we like, who is 80 years old, and who is terminally ill with bladder cancer, told Janet that "once you have had cancer cells in your body, you can never get rid of them, and they WILL come back. It is a matter of when, not if". This woman is the sprightliest, cheeriest 80 year old you could ever wish to meet. She also used to be a nurse at Christies Hospital, (presumably quite some time ago). She is a lovely lady and I am sure that she would not intentionally want to frighten Janet. This has really worried Janet, even though rationally, it seems more sensible to believe the statistics which say that most people survive breast cancer these days. So….. How do you deal with people who insist on telling you things you neither want, nor need, to hear, about people who have died of cancer? particularly when you  obviously cannot identify who is going to do it in advance, and therefore warn them off. Also, how true can it be that once you have had cancer cells, they will always come back – and how can I reassure Janet that this ladys’ opinion is wrong, and out of date? Many Thanks — Richard Faulkner

Response:

Just wanted to share some positive news…

Question:

Ann T wrote<< Was it you who said in another thread that walking had reduced leg swelling?  Do your shoulder/back problems trouble you when walking?  If so, obviously you’re gritting your teeth and getting on with it.  You must be one determined woman — good goin’, lady, you’re an inspiration! Ann T. I don’t know if the walking was what did it but I woke up the morning after doing 14.5 miles with the swelling that had plagued me for almost a year much reduced.  However, this did not happen the week before when I did 12 miles.  It just happened that one time and has been much better since.  It seems to be slowly worsening again–but not nearly as bad as it had been.  As far as the back problems some of that (lower back) began improving last year with the Celebrex.  The pain was inconsistent since.  At times I was in agony whenever standing still.  I was okay walking.  Then in April the sciatic pain began–in left buttocks down back of thigh, around front down shin to outside of ankle and top of foot.  That has also improved with walking.  Interestingly, the spine dr. who recommended surgery–micro surgery to remove cyst recommended using an exercycle rather than walking  and said the latter was not good.  I’m guilty on that account–and even felt uneasy about doing the walk, initially because I was in such pain.  The more walking I did the less it hurt.  I was thinking that the exercyse released endorphins which either masked the pain or changed something inside so it hurt less.  However, all in all, that has improved.  Again, I also began the statin drug in September which according to some research appears to have anti tumor properties–so that may have possibly had something to do with it (although do realize that could have been coincidental). Walking doesn’t appear to affect my shoulder pain, although swinging my arms might result in some increased discomfort–but doesn’t seem related for the most part. I saw the orthopedist today.  He is thinking that what may be going on might be more neck-related.  He ordered an MRI of the rotator cuff just to make sure.  I heard the receptionist–when I went to make the MRI appt asking if he wanted to do it with contrast which would rule out mets.  However, he said w/out contrast.  The gal told me she was going to  book me for a day appt. and check with another dr.  I was quite impressed that the receptionist took the initiative to do that on her own.  However, that did throw up a red flag re. dr’s not looking at the ‘whole’ picture here if only an MRI w/out contrast is done when I am at high risk for metastases.

Response:

Despite the shoulder difficulties I am having, I wanted to share my progress. On Saturday I hiked 19.5 miles–doing ‘power-walk’ with only a few short (few minute stops–i.e. to use restroom) and on Sunday I did 13.5 miles.  This is in accordance with training schedule for the Susan G. Komen 3-day breast cancer walk.  I have just about raised the needed funds to participate.

*Wow* — good for you, Kaye, that’s truly impressive! I did a Komen walk here, but the short (thus more manageable) 5K version — agree with your  opinion that it’s a good cause.  If we’ve had the multi-day version locally, I didn’t hear about it (and am not sure I would bear up under the distance!). Was it you who said in another thread that walking had reduced leg swelling?  Do your shoulder/back problems trouble you when walking?  If so, obviously you’re gritting your teeth and getting on with it.  You must be one determined woman — good goin’, lady, you’re an inspiration! Ann T.

Response:

Despite the shoulder difficulties I am having, I wanted to share my progress. On Saturday I hiked 19.5 miles–doing ‘power-walk’ with only a few short (few minute stops–i.e. to use restroom) and on Sunday I did 13.5 miles.  This is in accordance with training schedule for the Susan G. Komen 3-day breast cancer walk.  I have just about raised the needed funds to participate.  If anyone would ever like a good cause to donate to–I do believe this is a good organization.  85% goes to breast cancer research, education, and other direct related services.   In order to participate everyone has to pay a registration fee to cover food and other expenses for the walk.  I am very impressed with how this organization is run and how funds are distributed.  Their books are open for inspection with apparently excellent recorded accountability.

Response:

Need Suggestions for Nutrition When Undergoing Chemo and Radiology

Question:

Shaz wrote<< Tomato soup or any other soup which wasn’t too strong smelling Tomato soup would have done me in…causes acid reflux which I normally don’t have.  I bought all kinds of jarred organic baby food in case I needed it.  I didn’t but still ate some figuring they were healthy.   I also found that I liked scrambled egg with about a tablespoon or so of cottage cheese cooked together with it.  Mmmmm….that went down real easily and was quite mild. (P.S.   I try to use dairy products that wee pasteurized but also from non-hormone fed animals).

Response:

I found ginger ale and chicken noodle soup to be easy on the few days when I was feeling really sick.  Most of the time I was able to eat normally (not a good thing since I could have lost a few pounds and been happier). God Bless, Jackie S.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Shaz wrote<< Tomato soup or any other soup which wasn’t too strong smelling Tomato soup would have done me in…causes acid reflux which I normally don’t have.  I bought all kinds of jarred organic baby food in case I needed it. I didn’t but still ate some figuring they were healthy.   I also found that I liked scrambled egg with about a tablespoon or so of cottage cheese cooked together with it.  Mmmmm….that went down real easily and was quite mild. (P.S.   I try to use dairy products that wee pasteurized but also from non-hormone fed animals).

Response:

<<  Most of the time I was able to eat normally I did find that spicey foods were harder to digest.  Normally, I wouldn’t have even touched them but after my 3rd treatment we went to a friend’s house for brunch on Fathers’ Day and the 2 quiches she made were spicey–one had red pepper, I think, and the other had jalapeno peppers.  That didn’t sit too well.  Other than those foods, nothing else I ate was a problem, although I did eat fairly bland foods.

Response:

I guess eveyone has different tastes. You never really know what you’re gonna feel like eating, until you are actually having chemo. Some people can eat normally! I know i couldn’t but it effects everyone in different ways. Let’s just hope that you are one of the lucky ones, who can eat almost as normal Bea? Good luck anyway, Take care, Shaz x

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Shaz wrote<< Tomato soup or any other soup which wasn’t too strong smelling Tomato soup would have done me in…causes acid reflux which I normally don’t have.  I bought all kinds of jarred organic baby food in case I needed it. I didn’t but still ate some figuring they were healthy.   I also found that I liked scrambled egg with about a tablespoon or so of cottage cheese cooked together with it.  Mmmmm….that went down real easily and was quite mild. (P.S.   I try to use dairy products that wee pasteurized but also from non-hormone fed animals).

Response:

You shouldn’t really need to use these special nutritional drinks etc. during normal chemo. If you get effective anti-nausea meds your time out of eating after each treatment should be minimal and it should be easy enough to cope by simply reorganising your mealtimes a bit.  It wouldn’t normally cause you to miss more than one or two meals per session, and that never hurt anyone. The likes of Ensure and Enlive are really intended for situations where there is a prolonged inability to take in normal food.  This sounds to me like an over-the-top response. If you do suffer from prolonged nausea (it does happen to a few people) then go back to your oncologist for a different anti-nausea prescription.  I don’t recall my wife’s chemo ever stopping her eating any more than her dieting did, but it did mean that she was often travel sick around those times. Nausea isn’t usually a major side effect from radiation, the main effect is lethargy (and of course sunburn.) Tim Jackson

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone give me some suggestions for food or drinks you have used with succes which one is able to hold down when undergoing Chemo and Radiology treatments?  I have read that one should expect nausea from treatments so what do you eat or drink to make sure your body has nutrients at this time?  My doctor had advertisements for something called Pro-Sure but one time when I tried a can of Vanilla Ensure before my colonoscopy just the odor made me really nauseated and I had to throw 6 cans in the garbage. Is Pro-Sure like Ensure?? I haven’t started the Chemo yet so want to make sure I have certain drinks or foods available which I will be able to use so that my body stays as healthy as possible at that time.  I am especially interested in ones you have been able to use which did not make you more nauseated. Thanks for any suggestions you can give me which worked well for you. If you know of any websites I can go to which give this info, I will be most grateful for that too. Bea

Response:

Hi Bea, I had really bad nausea during my A/C chemo but not everyone does. It all depends on which chemo combination you are going to have and how each individual’s body reacts to the particular medications. As for what to eat, if you do get bad nausea,(let’s just keep our fingers crossed that you don’t get it too bad!) I could only manage Tomato soup or any other soup which wasn’t too strong smelling. That’s all i survived on for the first 3/4days but my nausea+vomiting was to the extreme! I was told by the chemo nurses, to try complan(powder type product, which contains vitamins etc,  you mix with milk or water usually or similar to help keep your nutrient intake to as near normal as possible. Don’t worry to much about not eating for the first day or so, you’ll survive,as long as you drink plenty!! Good Luck! Take care, Shaz x

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone give me some suggestions for food or drinks you have used with succes which one is able to hold down when undergoing Chemo and Radiology treatments?  I have read that one should expect nausea from treatments so what do you eat or drink to make sure your body has nutrients at this time?  My doctor had advertisements for something called Pro-Sure but one time when I tried a can of Vanilla Ensure before my colonoscopy just the odor made me really nauseated and I had to throw 6 cans in the garbage. Is Pro-Sure like Ensure?? I haven’t started the Chemo yet so want to make sure I have certain drinks or foods available which I will be able to use so that my body stays as healthy as possible at that time.  I am especially interested in ones you have been able to use which did not make you more nauseated. Thanks for any suggestions you can give me which worked well for you. If you know of any websites I can go to which give this info, I will be most grateful for that too. Bea

Response:

My doctors all tell me to "stay off the internet" so I won’t hear stuff which will frighten me

. . . Bah, humbug! I’m sorry that you have need of this group, but I think you’ll find folks reasonably upbeat (but pull-no-punches frank if/when the answers need to be that way).  Welcome! Ann T.

Response:

Hi Bea, much to my surprise with the new anti-nausea meds difficulty eating during chemo tends to be minimal.  I had started out expecting it–bought all kinds of ’special’ foods (i.e. organic baby food) but didn’t need it.  I did stay away from spicey foods which did bother me.  Otherwise, I ate pretty much a normal diet.  Some dr.’s want you to stay away from raw fruits and vegetables, particularly during certain critical times when you’re immune system is more compromised (weakened).

Response:

<< I don’t know if we are allowed to post "thank yous" in this group but I just had to let you wonderful folks know how much I appreciate your kind words and helpful advice.   Hi Bea, you can post just about anything you want–although hopefully it is somehow related to the topic and supportive–either way–giving or requesting it.  BTW (by the way) welcome to the group where nobody really wants to be…

Response:

I don’t know if we are allowed to post "thank yous" in this group but I just had to let you wonderful folks know how much I appreciate your kind words and helpful advice.  This has all hit me so unexpectedly that I am trying to cope with it now that surgery is over with as few unexpected problems as possible.  My doctors all tell me to "stay off the internet" so I won’t hear stuff which will frighten me but I find that education is the best in any illness and feel that people who post to "support" groups are usually there to help each other and not frightened someone needlessly.   You all have certainly proven me right.  You have helped alleviate many of my fears of the therapy so now I feel I can go in to it with less strain on my emotions. Once again, my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your help.   Bea

Response:

Can anyone give me some suggestions for food or drinks you have used with succes which one is able to hold down when undergoing Chemo and Radiology treatments?

Most people don’t have nearly the trouble with breast cancer chemo/radiation treatments that the popular media reports may’ve led you to believe. I’m with Tim — you shouldn’t need special supplements.  I was much sicker than the typical person is with the Adriamycin/Cytoxan (AC) phase of my chemo, but all that meant was I couldn’t keep food/water down for about 24 hours, then felt nausea for a few days (but could keep food down).  Many women have said they went out for dinner after chemo (even eating things like cheeseburgers!) and were fine.   If you do have trouble with vomiting, do talk with your oncologist or his/her nurse.  After I had a bad time following my first AC infusion, I called and they had me come in the next day for more IV fluids & anti-nausea meds, which helped quite a bit.  On subsequent rounds, they gave me extra fluids and anti-nausea meds with the chemo, *and* had me come back the next day for more IV.  They also kept adjusting my take-home anti-nausea meds to improve things.   By the last of my 4 AC cycles, they had things so much better than I had no vomiting, and could safely sip liquids within hours or so after chemo.  Chemo was one of my worst-ever hobbies, but it was no worse than having a stomach flu once every three weeks for 4 cycles.  And you’ll probably have much less trouble, as most people do.   What I found helped was having easy-to-fix nutrient (and calorie) rich bland foods on hand that I could keep down easily.  The first thing I could tolerate was usually room temperature ginger ale, then warm milk (which I usually *hate*), soda crackers, bananas, instant oatmeal and instant mashed potatoes (more or less in that order).   Mild instant soups were a good next step.   A friend made me a *wonderful* dish that had mashed potatoes with cream cheese and such — bland but rich & protein-ful.  By 3 days or so after chemo, I was back to pretty much normal diet. It seemed to help to eat tiny amounts (a few sips of ginger ale, or a couple-inch chunk of banana) very frequently (20 minutes to an hour apart), rather than eating larger amounts less frequently.  I found protein-rich mild soups (e.g., pea soup) good . . . but I’m a vegetarian. Eating protein seems to help get one’s strength back.  Some people find foods with strong odors repellant.  Also, some people have strange taste side effects (e.g. everything tastes metallic) or certain foods that sound awful or others that they crave.  For me, for some reason, room temperature or body temperature liquids were easier to take than cold ones, but I’ve known others to say just the opposite. Usually when I have the stomach flu, it works best for me not to eat until I feel I can keep food down.   It was just the opposite with chemo:  The sooner I could force myself to drink/eat, the better I felt faster.   Also, after the vomiting passed, I found it helped keep nausea at bay if I kept something in my stomach all the time.  I took to carrying soda crackers and hard candies in my purse, and eating one every hour or thereabouts. One thing that was great for me:  Since I initially had trouble keeping things down for 24 hours, I had trouble taking anti-nausea pills.  My doctor gave me some samples of "Zofran ODT" (ODT stands for "oral dissolving tablets", I believe).  They just dissolve in your mouth instantly and there’s no perception of swallowing anything other than saliva.  They would stay down when regular pills wouldn’t. Radiotherapy for breast cancer usually doesn’t affect your digestive system, since it isn’t aimed at digestive tract areas.  I’ve heard very occasionally of someone having some esophageal or upper stomach irritation if their individual radiation fields encroached on those areas, but the effect was usually only something like heartburn.   Try not to feel too much trepidation about what’s going to happen, but have some bland foods on hand for your first chemo cycle just in case. If you live alone, you might feel more comfortable having a friend come stay with you after the first chemo just in case you need some help. After the first cycle, you’ll have a much better idea what works, how you feel, what sounds good & doesn’t, and will be able to prepare more knowledgeably for subsequent cycles. The big deal for me was feeling wrung out (partly due to the vomiting/nausea & implications for sleeping/eating).  Mild exercise (e.g., taking a walk) helped, and I found it helped my attitude to have some comedy movies on video tape on hand that I could watch to keep my spirits up when my energy & concentration weren’t up to anything more intense. All of this is no darn fun, but take heart — lots of us have gotten through this, and you sound like you have a good "get on top of things" attitude that will help see you through. Good luck, and let us know if you have questions as things progress. Ann T.

Response:

Can anyone give me some suggestions for food or drinks you have used with succes which one is able to hold down when undergoing Chemo and Radiology treatments?  I have read that one should expect nausea from treatments so what do you eat or drink to make sure your body has nutrients at this time?  My doctor had advertisements for something called Pro-Sure but one time when I tried a can of Vanilla Ensure before my colonoscopy just the odor made me really nauseated and I had to throw 6 cans in the garbage. Is Pro-Sure like Ensure?? I haven’t started the Chemo yet so want to make sure I have certain drinks or foods available which I will be able to use so that my body stays as healthy as possible at that time.  I am especially interested in ones you have been able to use which did not make you more nauseated. Thanks for any suggestions you can give me which worked well for you. If you know of any websites I can go to which give this info, I will be most grateful for that too. Bea

Response:

Wait three more weeks?

Question:

Karyl, I’m sorry to have to offer you yet another welcome to the group but I’m glad that you found us. I didn’t see it when scanning the other responses, but it might help you to know that your cancer has probably been growing (happily along, as you said) for about 10 years.  Although the wait is really tough on you, a few weeks won’t matter in dealing with the cancer. I also didn’t notice if anyone suggested that you pick up a copy of Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book.  It’s been the bible of many of us as we’ve gone through the breast cancer battle.  It’s available in paperback and provides as much or as little detail as you’d like to get.  She also wrote it for the layperson so we can all understand it. We’re a pretty good resource, too.  I think among the regular posters, we’ve had just about every experience with this disease imaginable. Please keep us posted on how things go.  If you have any questions at all, even if you think that the’re silly, strange, or personal (we have no shame), we’re here to help. Take care. …lisa

Response:

I did pick books up from the library today, including Susan Love’s book.  As you all know, it’s so frightening to be reading everything in one fell swoop. I know I’ll be posting more questions and my experiences.  Thanks to you all.  I just wish I could get the ball rolling, instead of lying around reading and worrying.  Now I need to get my slides before I can meet with the oncologist and have hit a bump in the road getting them.  So, ug, I just will be glad when I get everything together and get in somewhere and get started. Thanks again all, Karyl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Karyl, I’m sorry to have to offer you yet another welcome to the group but I’m glad that you found us. I didn’t see it when scanning the other responses, but it might help you to know that your cancer has probably been growing (happily along, as you said) for about 10 years.  Although the wait is really tough on you, a few weeks won’t matter in dealing with the cancer. I also didn’t notice if anyone suggested that you pick up a copy of Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book.  It’s been the bible of many of us as we’ve gone through the breast cancer battle.  It’s available in paperback and provides as much or as little detail as you’d like to get.  She also wrote it for the layperson so we can all understand it. We’re a pretty good resource, too.  I think among the regular posters, we’ve had just about every experience with this disease imaginable. Please keep us posted on how things go.  If you have any questions at all, even if you think that the’re silly, strange, or personal (we have no shame), we’re here to help. Take care. …lisa

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just wanted to introduce myself.  I’m sure I’ll be writing more in the future.  I was diagnosed this morning with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Doesn’t that look like it should be written more like this:  INVASIVE DUCTAL So I don’t know a thing beyond that.   I was given four good surgeons to choose from.  Called all of them today.  Three of them are on vacation. One doesn’t take my insurance.  So the best I could do is to schedule August 12, when first of the three will be back.  Others can see me next week but after being on the phone today people told me NO!  They wouldn’t or couldn’t elaborate why, but said emphatically, NO.  Wait for one of the big four. So now, I’ll have to worry for three weeks to find out if it’s spread, stage, etc.  I think I’ll probably be insane by the end of that.  So do I schedule with one of the NO’s? I don’t know how long this mass has really been there.  At least two months. And it’s very big.  I go to the gynecologist every year.  But my breasts are lumpy anyway, so it’s always hard for me to tell.  So it really does seem to me that this thing appeared over night, even though that can’t be.  But my left arm hurts, maybe psychosomatically, I don’t know, and it worries me that it’s spreading away happily.  So do I wait for the go with a maybe? Anyway, I’m so glad this group it here. All the best, Karyl-38      Mom to two of the coolest boys ever, wife to one amazing man, friend to as many as I can be.

Response:

Waiting three or four weeks before surgery is normal.  Even if you can get treatment quicker, you really need that sort of length of time to come to terms with the condition, and to make whatever decisions are necessary.  The question of course is how long you will be expected to wait before treatment once the surgeon does get back from his vacation.  The surgeon’s office may be able to give you some indication of how much delay would be likely. It is considered to be a significant benefit to be treated by a surgeons with plenty of experience in this sort of work – ideally a specialist breast surgeon rather than a general surgeon, although how this works out and what is the best option does vary from region to region, for example a general surgeon in a small hospital may in fact have a lot of experience in bc, whereas in a large hospital it would all have been handled by specialists. Invasive ductal carcinoma (which is the common or garden variety of be) will have been growing for several years already, typically ten years, and while of course delay can only increase the risks, a few weeks makes only a tiny difference. These waiting times are probably the worst part of this whole process. Tim Jackson

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just wanted to introduce myself.  I’m sure I’ll be writing more in the future.  I was diagnosed this morning with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Doesn’t that look like it should be written more like this:  INVASIVE DUCTAL So I don’t know a thing beyond that.   I was given four good surgeons to choose from.  Called all of them today.  Three of them are on vacation. One doesn’t take my insurance.  So the best I could do is to schedule August 12, when first of the three will be back.  Others can see me next week but after being on the phone today people told me NO!  They wouldn’t or couldn’t elaborate why, but said emphatically, NO.  Wait for one of the big four. So now, I’ll have to worry for three weeks to find out if it’s spread, stage, etc.  I think I’ll probably be insane by the end of that.  So do I schedule with one of the NO’s? I don’t know how long this mass has really been there.  At least two months. And it’s very big.  I go to the gynecologist every year.  But my breasts are lumpy anyway, so it’s always hard for me to tell.  So it really does seem to me that this thing appeared over night, even though that can’t be.  But my left arm hurts, maybe psychosomatically, I don’t know, and it worries me that it’s spreading away happily.  So do I wait for the go with a maybe? Anyway, I’m so glad this group it here. All the best, Karyl-38      Mom to two of the coolest boys ever, wife to one amazing man, friend to as many as I can be.

Response:

<< I did pick books up from the library today, including Susan Love’s book. Hi Susan, glad to hear that things are proceding as well as can be expected for the moment. Re. Susan Love’s book, make sure that it is her latest edition (2001 although it may be 2000).

Response:

Yikes, meant Hi Karyl…residual chemo brain << Hi Susan, glad to hear that things are proceding as well as can be expected for the moment. Re. Susan Love’s book, make sure that it is her latest edition (2001 although it may be 2000).

Response:

So I don’t know a thing beyond that.   I was given four good surgeons to choose from.  Called all of them today.  Three of them are on vacation.  One doesn’t take my insurance.  So the best I could do is to schedule August 12, when first of the three will be back.

Hi, Karyl, Do you have any University medical centers, cancer centers, or the like in your area?  Some of these run "multidisciplinary breast cancer clinics" where you can go and see several specialists (surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, social worker, etc.) all on one day, then the doctors confer & agree on a recommendation for you.  You can then utilize those doctors, or not, as you wish. I live in a mid-sized Michigan city, and there’s more than one organization running such clinics here.  Here, you can get into them quite quickly.  The one I went to is available one day each week, and I was the only person going through the program that day.  Assuming you’re in the U.S., you might try calling the local American Cancer Society chapter to see what they know about what’s available in your area. Doesn’t that look like it should be written more like this:  INVASIVE DUCTAL

Nah.  Don’t give the beast more than its due! ASCB-specific self introduction: Currently 47, widow.  Diagnosed with locally advanced bc in September, 2000 – 5 tumors in left breast, largest more than 3 cm, one tumor in right, a little over 1 cm. Bilateral mastectomy, 3 months AC, 3 months Taxol, 6 weeks radiation. So far (cross fingers) still here and kickin’, with no mets yet.  Joined a rowing team for bc survivors about 6 months ago, and having a *great* time. Welcome . . . sorry you have need to join us.  Take heart, you’ll get through this — you’re stronger than you may realize! Best wishes for speedy resolution, Ann T.

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If is your GYN discouraging you or another medical professional I would listen but street talk is of little value. Can you have a sentinal node biospy done first ? Can you meet with the oncologist ? I think many of your answers will be  answered. I always think if a Doctor treats you this way ….before meeting you how are you going to be treated when you are under their care. What is you had surgery last week….would you have to wait until they are done with their "vacation". Alex

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well the thing is, I can’t get in sooner because the surgeons are out of town, on vacation. The first one back, comes into the office on the 12th. I can definitely see other people sooner, they just aren’t recommended and some of them are downright discouraged by people.  I have just received the general diagnosis this morning from my gynecologist.  So I am still waiting for the evaluation if I want one of the highly recommended breast surgeons. How soon surgery happens after that, I have no idea.  So it could realistically be another 1-1/2 months until surgery. Karyl Can your GYN make a few calls for you? Sometimes they can make an appoitment for you quicker. I would call your insurance company and ask who you should see since you are having a hard time getting an appoitment. August 12th isn’t a long time to wait for surgery but you are waiting for an evaluation which I think is unreasonable. Do you have any cancer centers that are affilated with a medical center ? Better yet one with a breast center?  Most have a policy of seeing a patient with a new diagnose within 48 hours….bad news is that you maybe examine by a resident or medical student… but you will get some answers to your questions and options. I was diagnosed at age 40….with invasive  ductal   in 1997 so far so good. Alex Just wanted to introduce myself.  I’m sure I’ll be writing more in the future.  I was diagnosed this morning with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Doesn’t that look like it should be written more like this:  INVASIVE DUCTAL So I don’t know a thing beyond that.   I was given four good surgeons to choose from.  Called all of them today.  Three of them are on vacation. One doesn’t take my insurance.  So the best I could do is to schedule August 12, when first of the three will be back.  Others can see me next week but after being on the phone today people told me NO!  They wouldn’t or couldn’t elaborate why, but said emphatically, NO.  Wait for one of the big four. So now, I’ll have to worry for three weeks to find out if it’s spread, stage, etc.  I think I’ll probably be insane by the end of that.  So do I schedule with one of the NO’s? I don’t know how long this mass has really been there.  At least two months. And it’s very big.  I go to the gynecologist every year.  But my breasts are lumpy anyway, so it’s always hard for me to tell.  So it really does seem to me that this thing appeared over night, even though that can’t be. But my left arm hurts, maybe psychosomatically, I don’t know, and it worries me that it’s spreading away happily.  So do I wait for the go with a maybe? Anyway, I’m so glad this group it here. All the best, Karyl-38      Mom to two of the coolest boys ever, wife to one amazing man, friend to as many as I can be.

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Karyl, Just a suggestion…might work?  Who did the biopsy?  In my case I had gone for a diagnostic mammogram, followed by and ultra sound because of regular lumps and bumps.  One lump that did not show up on the mammo, showed on the ultra sound…it was suspicious.  There ‘just happened to be’ a dr. who floated by on his way to another patient.  I was fortunate enough to have the biopsy right there and then.  He didn’t explain much then, but called to give me the news 5 days later.  Several days later (after the lumpectomy and before the double mast) I was in the same place for another test related to my breast cancer.  He just happened to walk by again (hmmm….I’m beginning to wonder why he just ‘happens’ to be there for me?) and so I boldly (because that’s not me) asked if he would please explain everything to me. This man, the dr., actually sat down with me for over an hour! and drew pictures, graphs, had results of my other tests faxed to his office so he could explain more, and then gave me options. I guess my point is, possibly you could go to the person who did the biopsy and ask them all sorts of questions.  They will have all the results you ever wanted….or …. didn’t want.  Mind you, they won’t be able to tell you what they will find once they go in, but he can at least give you particulars of the biopsy they did on a day you will never forget. Good luck to you… jamie in california Aug 02 diagnosed with infiltrating lobular Sep 02 double mast

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Can your GYN make a few calls for you? Sometimes they can make an appoitment for you quicker. I would call your insurance company and ask who you should see since you are having a hard time getting an appoitment. August 12th isn’t a long time to wait for surgery but you are waiting for an evaluation which I think is unreasonable. Do you have any cancer centers that are affilated with a medical center ? Better yet one with a breast center?  Most have a policy of seeing a patient with a new diagnose within 48 hours….bad news is that you maybe examine by a resident or medical student… but you will get some answers to your questions and options. I was diagnosed at age 40….with invasive  ductal   in 1997 so far so good. Alex

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just wanted to introduce myself.  I’m sure I’ll be writing more in the future.  I was diagnosed this morning with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Doesn’t that look like it should be written more like this:  INVASIVE DUCTAL So I don’t know a thing beyond that.   I was given four good surgeons to choose from.  Called all of them today.  Three of them are on vacation. One doesn’t take my insurance.  So the best I could do is to schedule August 12, when first of the three will be back.  Others can see me next week but after being on the phone today people told me NO!  They wouldn’t or couldn’t elaborate why, but said emphatically, NO.  Wait for one of the big four. So now, I’ll have to worry for three weeks to find out if it’s spread, stage, etc.  I think I’ll probably be insane by the end of that.  So do I schedule with one of the NO’s? I don’t know how long this mass has really been there.  At least two months. And it’s very big.  I go to the gynecologist every year.  But my breasts are lumpy anyway, so it’s always hard for me to tell.  So it really does seem to me that this thing appeared over night, even though that can’t be.  But my left arm hurts, maybe psychosomatically, I don’t know, and it worries me that it’s spreading away happily.  So do I wait for the go with a maybe? Anyway, I’m so glad this group it here. All the best, Karyl-38      Mom to two of the coolest boys ever, wife to one amazing man, friend to as many as I can be.

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Hi, welcome to the group you never wanted to join.  I know that waiting at this time is very difficult.  Generally, breast cancer is slow growing. However, its rate of growth is exponential (i.e. one cell becomes two cells, two cells become four, four cells become 16, 16 cells become, 256, etc.).  Breast cancer usually can’t be come detected until the number of cells is 10 to the 9th power I believe.  It’s rate of growth is said to double every 3 months, generally.   Again, it is very hard to wait to be seen.  One suggestion, is to call the different dr.’s you are intersted in seeing first thing each morning to see if they have a cancellation.  Oftentimes that will get you in sooner.  There might be someone else who is in a similar situation who has made appt’s with more than one of the dr’s you want to see, and they might see another of those dr.’s first and go with them, cancelling their appt’s with the others.  Or someone might need to change an appt time for a variety of other reasons, leaving a free appt.   Although there might even already be a waiting list for the dr(s), if you check in regularly the receptionist(s) may remember you first and help you get into an open slot should it become available. In the meantime, I’d like to suggest you read Dr. Susan Love’s latest book on Breast Cancer.  There is a wealth of information in it.  Also, I would like to suggest you do a google search on breast cancer and  "invasive ductal".  There are many different support groups, and the more you ask questions, the more information you will have to make the best informed decision. Take care and wishing you all the best.  If you have any ?’s, just ask.

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Well the thing is, I can’t get in sooner because the surgeons are out of town, on vacation. The first one back, comes into the office on the 12th.  I can definitely see other people sooner, they just aren’t recommended and some of them are downright discouraged by people.  I have just received the general diagnosis this morning from my gynecologist.  So I am still waiting for the evaluation if I want one of the highly recommended breast surgeons. How soon surgery happens after that, I have no idea.  So it could realistically be another 1-1/2 months until surgery. Karyl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can your GYN make a few calls for you? Sometimes they can make an appoitment for you quicker. I would call your insurance company and ask who you should see since you are having a hard time getting an appoitment. August 12th isn’t a long time to wait for surgery but you are waiting for an evaluation which I think is unreasonable. Do you have any cancer centers that are affilated with a medical center ? Better yet one with a breast center?  Most have a policy of seeing a patient with a new diagnose within 48 hours….bad news is that you maybe examine by a resident or medical student… but you will get some answers to your questions and options. I was diagnosed at age 40….with invasive  ductal   in 1997 so far so good. Alex Just wanted to introduce myself.  I’m sure I’ll be writing more in the future.  I was diagnosed this morning with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Doesn’t that look like it should be written more like this:  INVASIVE DUCTAL So I don’t know a thing beyond that.   I was given four good surgeons to choose from.  Called all of them today.  Three of them are on vacation. One doesn’t take my insurance.  So the best I could do is to schedule August 12, when first of the three will be back.  Others can see me next week but after being on the phone today people told me NO!  They wouldn’t or couldn’t elaborate why, but said emphatically, NO.  Wait for one of the big four. So now, I’ll have to worry for three weeks to find out if it’s spread, stage, etc.  I think I’ll probably be insane by the end of that.  So do I schedule with one of the NO’s? I don’t know how long this mass has really been there.  At least two months. And it’s very big.  I go to the gynecologist every year.  But my breasts are lumpy anyway, so it’s always hard for me to tell.  So it really does seem to me that this thing appeared over night, even though that can’t be.  But my left arm hurts, maybe psychosomatically, I don’t know, and it worries me that it’s spreading away happily.  So do I wait for the go with a maybe? Anyway, I’m so glad this group it here. All the best, Karyl-38      Mom to two of the coolest boys ever, wife to one amazing man, friend to as many as I can be.

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Hi, Karyl:     Welcome to the group. Sorry you’re here because of a cancer. I don’t know what you tell you. I’ve heard that there’s usually "time" after diagnosis to be able to wait for the best physician, but I’m afraid I’d be inclined to get busy now on the treatment. Three weeks seems like a long time to me. I hope Tim Jackson is reading this. He’s the one who can give you answers. I’ll be watching for comments. I just want to wish you good luck and welcome you to the family.         Mary K (aka medfit2)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just wanted to introduce myself.  I’m sure I’ll be writing more in the future.  I was diagnosed this morning with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Doesn’t that look like it should be written more like this:  INVASIVE DUCTAL So I don’t know a thing beyond that.   I was given four good surgeons to choose from.  Called all of them today.  Three of them are on vacation. One doesn’t take my insurance.  So the best I could do is to schedule August 12, when first of the three will be back.  Others can see me next week but after being on the phone today people told me NO!  They wouldn’t or couldn’t elaborate why, but said emphatically, NO.  Wait for one of the big four. So now, I’ll have to worry for three weeks to find out if it’s spread, stage, etc.  I think I’ll probably be insane by the end of that.  So do I schedule with one of the NO’s? I don’t know how long this mass has really been there.  At least two months. And it’s very big.  I go to the gynecologist every year.  But my breasts are lumpy anyway, so it’s always hard for me to tell.  So it really does seem to me that this thing appeared over night, even though that can’t be.  But my left arm hurts, maybe psychosomatically, I don’t know, and it worries me that it’s spreading away happily.  So do I wait for the go with a maybe? Anyway, I’m so glad this group it here. All the best, Karyl-38      Mom to two of the coolest boys ever, wife to one amazing man, friend to as many as I can be.

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Just wanted to introduce myself.  I’m sure I’ll be writing more in the future.  I was diagnosed this morning with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Doesn’t that look like it should be written more like this:  INVASIVE DUCTAL So I don’t know a thing beyond that.   I was given four good surgeons to choose from.  Called all of them today.  Three of them are on vacation.  One doesn’t take my insurance.  So the best I could do is to schedule August 12, when first of the three will be back.  Others can see me next week but after being on the phone today people told me NO!  They wouldn’t or couldn’t elaborate why, but said emphatically, NO.  Wait for one of the big four.  So now, I’ll have to worry for three weeks to find out if it’s spread, stage, etc.  I think I’ll probably be insane by the end of that.  So do I schedule with one of the NO’s? I don’t know how long this mass has really been there.  At least two months. And it’s very big.  I go to the gynecologist every year.  But my breasts are lumpy anyway, so it’s always hard for me to tell.  So it really does seem to me that this thing appeared over night, even though that can’t be.  But my left arm hurts, maybe psychosomatically, I don’t know, and it worries me go with a maybe? Anyway, I’m so glad this group it here. All the best, Karyl-38      Mom to two of the coolest boys ever, wife to one amazing man, friend to as many as I can be.

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