Front cover of the newspaper

Way to support your Mama, boys!  So glad you're feeling up to the event, Lauri.  It's WONDERFUL to see you here again.

That's awesome Lauri!

That's awesome!
 
Great for all of you!

Hey Lauri!!! You look GREAT!!!!!!
Hope your feeling as happy as you look!

Oh wow! All three of you look fantastic. Love the pink legs too!

I love that picture you all do look great. How are you doing?

Wow - way to go Lauri!! You make a wonderful (and colorful) team.  It looks like a great organization (I loved Gilda Radner!!) and a fantastic event. [sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif]

Oh Lauri, you look fabulous!!!!  Um, so do your kids. )

Thanks, guys!

I'm doing very good!  I've had one round of chemo and am now half-way through my second round.  Five more weeks of that and then on to Radiation.

I should be finished with those about 2 weeks before Christmas.  I continue with another cancer-fighting drug every other week for a year (until July 2007) - maybe 2 years of the newest studeis show that helps more.

I've just started growing hair again.  I might just have some real hair by Christmas!

Funny bald story ... when my hair started falling out I had my DH shave my head.  We put the dogs outside so they wouldn't run through the hair as it was coming off.  When we were finished DH let the dogs back in.  I stood in the dining room and the dogs came in and ran past me.  Neke didn't notice (she's losing her eyesight anyway), Tazer and Winnie ran right past me too.

Riggs came running in the room, took one look at me and slammed on his brakes!  He just stood there, ears down, looking at this person he didn't recognize in his house.  I didn't say anything for a second - it upset me and I thought I was going to cry.  I finally managed to say "Riggs, it ME".  As soon as he heard my voice his ears went up and he ran over to me and all was well.

Funny bald story

I see the humor but I also see how difficult this must be and want you to know that you're a hero in my eyes.  So many people I know are dealing with cancer, chemo, and radiation and I think that no one can quite comprehend what it must be like, so huge hugs to you.

My mom died at 44 of ovarian cancer and my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at 41, so I'm high risk and registered with the Gilda Radner Institute.  When I hit the age of 41-42ish and started looking in the mirror and realizing my mom probably discovered her cancer at this age, it was shocking.  I felt so young and alive and couldn't imagine what she must've felt, especially knowing her youngest child, me, was only 10 and might lose her mother.  Anyway, those few years thru 45 were rough and I thought of my mom and cried more tears than in my entire life.

I just want you to know that I think you're a hero for all of us and I wish you good health through the rest of your chemo, radiation and for many years to come.

Awsome! You look great and way to go Riggs and Tazer they look good in pink.

Cathy,

Have you had the gentic testing?  They can test people with family history of cancer for certain genes.  Since I'm the first member of my immediate family to get cancer I didn't bother.  But if I wasn't the first I would have had both breasts completely removed.  Why tempt fate.

They are using a couple different drugs now as cancer preventatives in high risk women.  If you have the gene you might qualify for those drugs.  They do have bad side effects but you have to weigh the risks with the benefits.

Also,  I hope you - and EVERY woman out there over the age of 40 - are getting yearly mammograms.  I waited until I found a lump to go for my first.  I was 44.  If I had gone a few years earlier we would have caught it sooner and I might not have had to do all the chemo I am doing/did.

The Gilda club is a GREAT resource for those with any type of cancer - man, woman or child.  It's a place to go to talk about it or forget about it.  Everyone there has been through or is going through much of what I am so they know.  I can't remcoomend it highly enough!

Cathy,

Have you had the gentic testing? They can test people with family history of cancer for certain genes. Since I'm the first member of my immediate family to get cancer I didn't bother. But if I wasn't the first I would have had both breasts completely removed. Why tempt fate.

I've been thru genetic counseling and was close to the testing, but decided against.  See if I found out I carry the gene marker, then it's possible that I'd never be able to get health insurance.  They say you can use a private company vs. your own health insurance to get the testing, but the results still get posted somewhere.  I can't take that chance.  In addition, since I was 35 I've had annual mammos and pelvic ultrasound, plus the CA135 test.  There isn't much more in the way of screening they can do.  My Dr's take my risk serious, so I'm confident they're watching out for me.  What they'd really like to do though is a hysterectomy, but again, I've declined.  I went with a tubal because they think that helps, but if they send me into menopause, I'm not going to be able to use any type of hormone replacement, again because of my high risk.  Anyway...I try to take care of myself (quit smoking many years ago, exercise, etc.) and hope that if anything develops, it'll be found early.

That's a great photo - cool you got to be on the newspaper cover!
 
Rupert is sending healing support nuzzles. []