<?xml version="1.0"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>catsvette's Journal RSS Feed</title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/rss</link><description>catsvette's Journal RSS Feed</description><item><title><![CDATA[The back to work note..]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7883</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7883</guid><description><![CDATA[When I first was diagnosed in July and was anticipating my upcoming surgery, I asked the Dr. If I could go back to work right away. He gave me this sad look. I wondered then what was in store for me these last months. Well I never made it back to work after that surgery, then another surgery, then 12 weeks of chemo and now 7 weeks of rads. With all the Mris and blood works in between. I look back on my calendar and every day was full!
Well today I have a back to work note from my radiologist. I can't believe that 6 months has gone so fast. I am starting to get my strenghth back and sleeping through the night. That is an accomplishment in itself! I still have a month of rads left , and a year of herception but I made it through. There were some days during chemo I just wanted to give up and quit it. My husband and kids cheered me on. My best supporters.
You learn to celebrate everything, to enjoy each day with your family.
I don't know what the future has in store for me with this BC, but I will always fight it with all I have. I will march with the survivors in memory of the women who have lost their battle.
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Had to postpone treatment]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7821</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7821</guid><description><![CDATA[I thought I was sailing smoothly now that chemo is over but hit a bump in the road. I was to start herception yesterday but got a virus. My husband thought it was nerves but the DR. said I couldn't get a fever and chills from nerves!. So it is delayed a week along with the radiation. I don't know what to expect from herception. Anyone has been on it and could give me some help? 
Let's hope this New Year goes well!]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Enjoying the holidays]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7800</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7800</guid><description><![CDATA[This is the first Holiday in many many years that I have not been working. The three weeks I have off between treatments has been a blessing for me to relax and enjoy the family. The guilt of not having alot of money to by presents has left. I am just happy I am still in life to enjoy it.
I hope everyone can take a few moments during the holiday rush to know how blessed we are to be survivors. And say a prayer for the many sisters of breast cancer we have lost this year. 
Happy Holidays to all.....]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Done chemo! On to next step....]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7777</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7777</guid><description><![CDATA[With chemo behind me and waiting for this nuelasta shot to go through my body, I am halfway down the road! January will start herception and tomoxifen, and radiation. I look forward to a very happy and blessed holiday with the family. 3 weeks off to enjoy myself again!!]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[All done that red devil chemo! Hurray....]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7774</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7774</guid><description><![CDATA[All finished my chemo and nulasta shots, just had to run in yesterday for some xtra bags of fluid to get me thru the nausea this week. They gave me the holidays to recover, and then rads, herceptin and tomoxifin start january 3rd. Any tricks of the trade for surviving radiation burns would be helpful. I guess aloe?
Love and Support to all. I am going to enjoy this blessed time with my family.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Chemo Hat]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7755</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7755</guid><description><![CDATA[It is amazing to me how many women have or had breast cancer, Since I truly wasn't aware before I was diagnosed this year.

I was in K-mart yesterday shopping for toys for Emmanuel cancer. It is an organization who gives cancer kids presents and food baskets for christmas, and helps families all year. Anyway, a women came up to me and said she wore THE HAT I was wearing last year. At first I didn't understand what she was saying to me. After a minute she repeated herself. Oh it hit me...THE CHEMO HAT! I was wearing. I laughed. I guess with THE HAT, you actually have a sign on your forhead, yes I am going through chemo and am bald, and I am going down the same aisle 5 times because of the chemo brain!. 

Actually, all the women I have run into have been wonderful. The men seem to give you a sad look. Maybe they lost a loved one. 
So Christmas shopping has been an experience so far! ]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[THE STRING BEAN CASSAROLE]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7751</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7751</guid><description><![CDATA[So having BC and not feeling all that chipper on the Holidays, you would think some family members would stop and think about your needs at this time (Thanksgiving).
So this is the first time in 28 years I will not be cooking the entire Thanksgiving meal for my husbands family. Yes except for the cranberry jello mold which is my mother-in-laws big contribution expense. Mine is the other $300.00 plus all the cooking and taking off work to prepare. So this year we are going over the hills and through the woods to a cousins house. I prepared the ham and trimmings, the string bean cassrole, the warm pineapple with toasted coconut ice cream dessert, and bringing the rolls. Now I guess I should have thought they would say don't bring anything honey ..you just come and enjoy yourself. No that was my list to bring... They are all getting coal in their stocking this year since I may not feel up to Christmas shopping!!!

:) lOVE AND SUPPORT..CATHIE
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Happy Thanksgiving to ALL on NBCF]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7749</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7749</guid><description><![CDATA[A very Happy Thanksgiving to all my supporter friends. I don't know how I would have gotten threw these first months of BC without the love and support. I am thankful that I am still in this world to enjoy my family. I think this week I will be eating chicken soup and popsicles instead of Turkey , But the Turkey is better leftover anyway!!!!
Gobble..Gobble .....p.s I lost 6 lbs this week so I get to eat anything I want!!!
Love....Cathie]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[I don't want to go]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7734</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7734</guid><description><![CDATA[On my way in 30 minutes to my 3rd A/C chemo treatment. I am puttering around the house doing dishes and vacuuming the house. I finally feel better, and then I am seated in a lounge chair with 3 bags of poisen going in me. Maybe I just need some TLC!
Its ok to ask for it sometimes. Totally bald form head to toe now the shower takes about 1 minute! 
Thank godness for girlfriend support. I was taken shopping yesterday and to lunch. And for the first time I noticed so many women with scarves around there heads like me. I wasn't alone. I was with fellow BC fighters trying to calm our minds. 
I just set my mind to next thursday when family and friends with be around for Thanksgiving. I know what I am thankful for.........Love and Support..Cathie]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Everyday something new]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7673</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7673</guid><description><![CDATA[Even as a survivor myself I applaud women and men everywhere battling this cancer. Every day it seems something new is going on with my body, maybe because I am not working for awhile. I am more in tuned with it. My 22nd day after my first chemo I can actually pull the hair out. I am afraid to get back  in the shower this morning. What else will fall out! My second A/C is tomorrow and I spent yesterday preparing like I was going to be snowed in for 6 months. I made chicken soup, vegetable, lentil, 3 bean, spice apple cake(2 of them). So I passed them around to neighbors who smelled the apple cake all over the neighborhood!!!.
 At the BC walk this weekend I was asked to volunteer for an office opening up in our hospital  to do PR work  for breast cancer . I will fit that in when I am done treatments. I know I was put on this earth to help people, and I quess God helped me find the way to this cause. 
Today my girlfriend is taking me shopping, and I am going to find treats for my fellow chemo friends tomorrow. Those crackers they hand out isn't making it! Yuck..
Love,Peace and support to all...Cathie ]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[First Chemo down]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7666</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7666</guid><description><![CDATA[Thankyou for the suggestions on chemo survival. One down and 3 to go. I wasn't too nervous since I had to be brave for my daughter who insisted in going with me. She made the time go so quickly. It took about 4 hours total with getting the steriods,fluids and the red devil A/C. The port made it easy. I went home watered my garden, ate and then it hit me at night. Massive headache for 2 days. Dr. said that was from the anti-nausea meds they gave me thru the iv. Gee thanks!. I took my pill faithfully,drank gatorade,pudding and toast for a week. The fourth day was the worst. After that I ate everything in sight! I wanted Pizza. I joined a support group which was wonderful. After that I finally slept. 
My blood counts were good so on to treatment #2. I know what to expect now. Dr was surprised I still had my hair. She had told me to expect it to start falling out the 14th day .I did buy about 20 scarves and different hats, and alot of makeup and cool earrings. One day at a time...........Love and support to all....Cathie]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Family Support]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7643</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7643</guid><description><![CDATA[My husband has been by my side every minute from the initial recall of the mammo (we got the call in the car), all the surgeries and dr. appointments,he takes the whole week off after my chemo to be with me.
 Last night he came with me to a Haven Breast Cancer night at our local spa. He was there right along 20 women getting a facial and asking questions to other survivors. Taking recipies from the hospital nutritonist, swaping stories.
 I love him for this, but thank godness he went to work today!!!! So I sent away for a tee shirt that reads... Real Men Wear Pink. He is a true supporter.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Chemo survival suggestions]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7637</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7637</guid><description><![CDATA[My first Chemo was wednesday A/C. With a shot the next day to bring up my white count. Emend first 3 days. It was tougher than I thought. Lots of water before and after. Any survival suggestions or tricks that will help? ...]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[The good day.. Its nice to say that for a change!]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7620</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7620</guid><description><![CDATA[Went to the surgeons with a folder of MRI pics in hand. I was going there for a chemo port consultation. Mri on the good breast was good! I looked at those pics all week with a magnifying glass and imagined the worst. So the time with the Dr. was my husband and him talking about football or something. Calcifications ok so far.So i'm not a doctor. I admit it now. So back to the hospital next week to put in the port. Then wednesday off to chemo with my bag of drugs they called in for me. You know at this point I didn't even read the labels. I'll take what they say and when. This was a good day anyway. I cheated and made steak on the grill. I haven't had beef in months. Maybe the ice cream man with come around too!  Hang in there everyone...... :)]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[All of this studying,I could have earned credits!]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7616</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7616</guid><description><![CDATA[Out of school 30 years, and since my diagnose I have read and studied more than ever. I had an MRI on my right breast  yesterday (the good one) before they put the port in monday for chemo. Left breast invasive dcis. Ok down to the wire with chemo, bought all the hats, have a date set for my buzz. Now... Do you think life is simple. 
This breast looks worse! Why didn't they check both at the same time. Mammo said 
check right again in 6 months. It has been 2 months. My breast looks more like a baby ultrasound feet kicking and all. I have always been a good person. But right now I am feeling bad and i am going to blow the dust of the jack daniels bottle and have a shot. ]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[sent my surgeon a goodbye card]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7609</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7609</guid><description><![CDATA[I sent my surgeon a goodbye card, can I get it back? Oh geez! I feel stupid now! I have to go back to see him next week to insert the chemo port. And if the MRI on the other breast shows something more surgery. I did cut my hair shorter. I didn't want to see it on my pillow in a few weeks. My community salon is having a beauty day for bc survivors in Oct. That should be a fun night. ]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[OK.. I CRIED ALITTLE]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7601</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7601</guid><description><![CDATA[TODAY WAS THE FIRST DAY SINCE MY DIAGNOSES IN AUGUST I CRIED. I STOPPED INTO WORK FOR A FEW,AND THOUGHT I COULD GO BACK TO WORK. NO FORGET IT, I DON'T FEEL WELL AND TOO EMOTIONAL TO DO DETAILED THINKING OR WAIT ON CUSTOMERS. I AM A VERY PATIENT PERSON BUT WITH THE TWO THINGS ABOVE I WOULD PROBOBLY CURSE THEM!. NOT GOOD. SO I WILL STAY HOME DURING TREATMENT.THERE ARE CRAFT SHOWS AND BC WALKS TO VOLUNTEER FOR. TREATMENTS SHOULD BE OVER BY CHRISTMAS. BY THEN IT WILL BE COLD AND THE SNOW WILL BE FALLING. WOW I MUST BE GETTING DEPRESSED! MAYBE I SHOULD GO AND GET SOME PRETTY POLISH ON THESE NAILS.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[strength ]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7596</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/catsvette/journals/7596</guid><description><![CDATA[I found some courage and strength today, by people i didn't even know lending some of theirs. And I didn't even have to ask for it. ]]></description></item></channel></rss>