LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: maeve
Date: 28 Jan 11 - 01:25 PM

That's a lovely letter, Michelle...and well deserved.

Maeve

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Jan 11 - 01:19 PM

I got the most beautiful email this morning from Doug Barron, the CEO of the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance. He wrote:
"I want to thank you for the past year. You and your journey with the ups and down being right there for everybody to see has taken such strength and courage. Documenting your treatment has brought an honest insight to the reality that a lot of people never see. And you are smiling in 95% of the pictures, what's up with that? Your never give up though out the process and your commitment is so evident with your following through after your diagnose with Jeremiah. "I have just had major surgery, gone through chemo, and now I am going to be a new mother, okay bring it on". I think you have passed John Wayne on my hero list and he is really close to the top. Congratulations, I am so proud and happy for you and your beautiful family. Mazel Tov"

Sometimes it feels like my cancer adventure was a lifetime ago and sometimes, well, it feels like yesterday. Just when I think I'm going along ok (and really I am), something beautiful and full of love appears and I can't help but just sit and cry. I sure don't feel very strong or that I have courage but it does make me feel really good to know that maybe I've helped someone along the way. GOCA does trainings with oncology students, holds large fundraisers (galas, a walk, stuff with the Atlanta Braves too) and I am very touched that the head of that organization remembers me and took the time to write this morning. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 Jan 11 - 01:51 AM

we look forward to many more Teal Beads & Tiara Day observances!

love & hugs

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 10:47 PM

Today I celebrated being cancer-free for one year!!!! I wore my teal beads and tiara all day.....enjoying my family and giving thanks for my life.

Love to all who helped me through a very difficult year!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: mouldy
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 02:39 AM

Well done too, Robyn!

The pair of you are a shining example of what happens more often than we hear about: early detection + medical science + positive energy = good outcome!

Andrea

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 02:08 PM

YAY Robyn!!!!!

   A healthier new year to you too!!!!! *High Five*

:) Much love,

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Little Robyn
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 02:00 PM

Wonderful.
Here's to a much happier and healthier new year.
Robyn, (also clear).

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: mouldy
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 01:07 PM

Woop! Woop!

Andrea x

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: maeve
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 01:05 PM

That's wonderful news, Michelle.

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 01:03 PM

The test results are in! My CA-125 (tumor marker) test result is the lowest it's ever been: 12.4!!!!   HOORAY!!! ****HAPPY DANCE****

Also...that lump has been taken care of! YAY!!!!! :)

Love to all,

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 10:00 AM

yah!

love & hugs from sandra

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: mouldy
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 02:41 AM

Well done and congrats!

Andrea

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 08:20 PM

Great news all around, Michelle!

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: maeve
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 06:33 PM

Sounds good, Michelle. I'm keeping track even when I don't post.

Maeve

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 06:16 PM

We're home from the hospital. The port flush went well...love that nurse! Everything looks exceptionally good from the tests that were returned quickly. The tumor marker test result will not be in until tomorrow.

And Bobert? LOL. I love you man!

PS. The doctor told me that my anniversary date is from the date of the surgery, not the end of chemo so my 1 year anniversary is coming up with weekend!!! I'm going to start a tradition for that day....not sure just what that will be but I'm sure I'll think of something!!!!

PSS. I have more hair than my doctor now!   ;)

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Bobert
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 04:26 PM

6 Months!!!

Guess what, Michelle... in 9 1/2 years you'll be celebrating 10 years of cancer free life...

Hey to the little guy, fir me...

B~

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 04:08 AM

has brother progressed into the hairdressing field?

thanks for the update, Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Ebbie
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 03:22 AM

Michelle, my daughter's twins were still toothless at almost a year. Her doctor assured her that he'd never heard of a kid who remained so.

At age 20 they have the normal complement.

Oh- I just remembered: their sister, two years younger than they, got little or no hair for the longest time. When she finally got some fuzz that hung over her collar in a mullet-like effect her brother took his safety shears and cut her hair. :)

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 10 Jan 11 - 09:52 PM

Time for an update!

Tomorrow is my 6 month checkup! I'll have my port flushed, bloodwork done and a visit with my oncologist.

Things have been going fairly well except last week I found a lump. Need I say more? Of course it freaked me out. It's visible which is unusual. I had it checked out today by a local doctor who thinks it is a retentive cyst. Benign. I hope she's right! I have a mammogram scheduled for later this month on the same day I have a checkup with my surgeon. The appointment was made last month before this popped up. Good timing. :)

My hair is really growing! It's darker than it was before...currently a light to medium brown, kinda curly in the back and wavy in the front/sides. And thick!!!!

Jeremiah is now 10 months old, crawling forward and can pull himself up to the standing position. We are teaching him basic signs. So far he has mastered the sign for more. He sometimes will do the sign for fan and hello. Still no teeth. I love our little boy more than words will ever express and so thankful for him. Pete is an incredible daddy too!!!

Love to all,

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Jan 11 - 06:20 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 09:18 PM

Revisiting the old grief and fear is how we evaluate where we are. I used to pay attention to the anniversary of the surgeries after my diagnosis, but it has been 10 years. I do still tell people how old I am when they ask, and mention my birthday - I'm glad to be around still to celebrate them.

I'm so glad your friend has come through her surgery so well - I'm sure your presence helped her a lot.

SRS

-----------This thread has been closed due to persistent spamming. Contact Joe Offer if you need it reopened - or start a fresh one. JoeClone---------

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 05:21 PM

Tracy came through the surgery with flying colors (after being told she had a 37% chance of survival...who comes up with these numbers?!?!?) and not only that but both tumors look to be benign!!! Pathology still has to come back but the surgeon says all looks GREAT! HOORAY!!!

As for me, I spent today watching ovarian cancer videos....survivors and stories of those who didn't survive. I don't know why I needed to do that today....I just did. It's been a year since the beginning of my journey....maybe that's why I needed to watch and remember....and to think of all the gifts I found along the way. Who knew?

I am feeling very blessed at the moment.

Love to all,

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 01:36 PM

Some time spent with you and the baby is probably just what she needs. Enjoy your time together, Lily.

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 06:04 AM

I can't add anything to what Kat, Stilly & Bobert have said

love from sandra

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 10:35 PM

You learned from other "wise women" on the same journey and now, as we all knew, you are your own wise woman and passing that gift on to others. What SRS and Bobert both say are important, as you know. The other is to protect yourself from the fear, too. It can so easily come to the heart and mind when we empathise so well, esp. with someone who is going through what we've been through ourselves. It is all too easy to imagine ourselves in their shoes. Just remember, fear is not helpful for anyone. You are here, well and capable. Yes, it is very sad and there will be tough times to get through in helping your friend, but you are here, well, and have a strength born of courage through adversity and we all love you.:-)

kat

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 05:06 PM

Bobert,

   I remember well how much it meant to me to be able to talk to someone or write and read a response. I'm not sure I'd have made it through without it.

Seriously.

The least I can do is listen. She called again today, by the way and said thank you for being (kind &) firm with her (as she has been with me when I'm a disaster area). She did sign the surgery papers and was happy to be reminded that it is her body and that she has choices.

A plan is in the works for them to come over for a BBQ and a night of Scrabble, cards, a movie or just mindless (or maybe not so mindless) chatter. She is delighted.

Me too. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 04:47 PM

Yes, cancer sucks... Glad yer out there for these folks, Michelle... It means alot to them...

B~

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 12:00 PM

Yeah....I know. You are right. I'm not feeling guilty or trying to fix anything....I'm just wanting to hug my friend, cry on her shoulder while she cries on mine.

I told her today that I have her Christmas gifts already (neener neener...I said that too) and her response was to not wait until I have to put flowers on her grave.

*Pause*

Perhaps Santa will arrive at Tracy's house a little sooner than she expects.

Cancer sucks. Cancer sucks. Cancer sucks. Cancer sucks. Cancer sucks. CANCER SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS.

*rant over for now*

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 11:31 AM

Even without practicing a religion, one can always understand the sentiment "there but for the grace of god go I."

I think this is an example of how we can heap guilt, through sadness, upon ourselves. This news opens an opportunity where you can offer a huge amount of help, but don't forget to protect your heart just a little. Here's wishing the best of luck to Tracy, and take care of yourself in the process, Michelle. The weight of the world is to big for one person.

SRS

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 11:11 AM

I never in a million years would have thought I'd say that having cancer comes with certain gifts, but it does. One of the biggest gifts for me has been meeting and getting to know Tracy. You've seen me write about her before. The weekend before last, she stood with my family as Jeremiah's Godmother.....she means so very much to me and I am thankful for her on a daily basis.

This morning she called me with some test results that require action and soon. She isn't sure she wants to follow through with those actions and she knows (and has shared) the consequences of waiting or not acting at all. She called me from outside in the rain to ask what I would do. She didn't call her family. She didn't call her pastor, she called ME because (she said) I understand. We talked about what each choice would mean and possible outcomes. The doctors were wanting her to sign a consent for surgery and she didn't know what to do. I told her that if it were me, I'd sign the papers, go home and enjoy Thanksgiving with my family and THINK about it. It is HER choice and she can always cancel if she decides that is the road she wants to take. She said she hadn't thought of that and quickly hung up the phone to go sign papers.

I totally respect her and whatever her choice may be...both are difficult and my heart is aching for her today.

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 12 Nov 10 - 05:49 PM

I'll second that!

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Nov 10 - 05:40 PM

Five or six years ago my boss' wife found a lump, and she called him at work to tell him the biopsy came back breast cancer. He went home for a few hours, and when he returned he looked shell shocked. I didn't have breast cancer, mine was a uterine form, but I think he was feeling so adrift when the diagnosis first hit that it was a huge boost to his morale when I stopped in his office to ask how things were.

"You had cancer!" he stated, and realized of course, there were several of us in the library, all walking around to talk about it. And our library family of cancer survivors, just being there, was a big help to them, I think. He looked so much better just to have had a cancer survivor come by and provide the clear evidence that it isn't a death sentence. That phone call you made was probably critically important for your friend's friend.

Keep up the good work, Michelle!

SRS

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Nov 10 - 04:45 PM

Today a friend emailed me about another friend who has recently been diangnosed with ovarian cancer. She sent me contact information (with the woman's permission) and I spent an hour and a half on the phone answering questions and sharing. It felt really, REALLY good to be able to be of some help and to pay it forward a bit.

Also, I met a woman at yoga last night (it was her first time there) and I was wearing one of my Survivor t-shirts which opened up a conversation about cancer in her family. We talked to freely and openly that my yoga teacher came over and asked if we knew one another...we laughed and said no. It was one of those instant connections and a knowingness that a new friend has been found. Bonus? She lives maybe 3 miles from my house. :)

Love to all,

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 04 Nov 10 - 05:33 PM

adding my cheers to the chorus

hugs

sandra

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 04 Nov 10 - 09:52 AM

Oh, simply marvelous! Hooray, hooray!
(I'm here, just very busy!)

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: maeve
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 05:10 PM

That's wonderful news Michelle. Thanks for letting us share the good news.

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 04:44 PM

Yes!! Yes!!!! Yes!!!

Congratulations!!

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 11:40 AM

CA-125 Levels (Tumor marker) has dropped from 14.8 to 14.6!!!!!

This is wonderful news!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: maeve
Date: 02 Nov 10 - 09:36 PM

I'm glad you are one member of such a supportive and joyful medical team, Michelle. It makes such a difference to each partner in the battle!

Maeve

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 02 Nov 10 - 04:32 PM

My appointment went well. My favorite nurse was working in the lab today so she accessed my port (and she's SO good at it...both getting that giant fish hook needle in AND out...sometimes the out part is VERY ouchie) and they drew 8 or 9 vials of blood. I try not to watch (there is a window conveniently by the chair so I stare out at all the cars and a big white house on the hill) and she is really good about distracting me with conversation while it's all going on. She gives me smiles, conversation and hugs...how can I not love her?

So. Then it was on to the oncologist. My CBC counts were good and I can FINALLY (it's been since last December) shave my legs and arm pits!!!! I'm SURE that's what you ALL wanted to hear but seriously, I am excited about that!! I swear I can feel the hair on my legs blow in the breeze sometimes!!!! I can also go back to vitamins and fish oil! Some of the side effects are just going to be for now as the chemo continues to work it's way out of my body (last chemo was in June!). He said things look good but the final word will be the number read-out which will come sometime tomorrow and he promised to call with it.

I asked about a number of things and it turns out that it was smart of me to see my surgical oncologist a few weeks back because I had ongoing pain in my abdomen for more than 5 days. YAY. I asked about symptoms of recurrance or things to note and call them about and will make a list of it so I don't forget or when I get nervous, I can look at it to remember. Ongoing abdominal or pelvic pain that is persistant for more than 5 days. Bloating. Bleeding of any kind. Involuntary weight loss. Lack of appetite. Of course, these are also the symptoms of ovarian cancer (just in case you didn't know).

The clinic usually has some kind of fund raiser going on. Today they were selling beautiful pink Longaberger bags (cloth) that are for breast cancer awareness..they are pink and have really a lovely design on them. I purchased 3 to share with friends who are currently going through treatment for breast cancer. The color for ovarian cancer is teal...so today I wore my teal ribbon (metal) pin and donned 4 teal strings of mardi gras beads! The nurses loved it and it made me feel that ovarian cancer was being represented in the building too (although now that October is over, breast cancer awareness has changed to lung and pancreatic cancers). I love that breast cancer awareness is HUGE and money is pouring in for research but let us be aware and ever mindful that breast cancer is only ONE of MANY kinds of cancer and they ALL need funding for research!!!

Anyway...like I said, my results are due tomorrow.

Thanks to all of you who listen and offer support....that is so incredibly important!!!

Love to all,

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 11:00 PM

Good health practitioners are treasures.

I never warmed to the specialist who didn't read my notes before delivering the basic 'Don't Do' list of his speciality/my condition each time I saw him. Had he read my notes he would have realised almost all of those Don't's were things I already didn't do & in some cases had never done.

I also didn't appreciate him telling my Dr that he knew I wouldn't follow his (useless in my physio's opinion) advice so I could come back & get his next suggestion (ie pay for another appointment!) So I never went back & kept following my physio's advice & life is good.

My cancer surgeon has a very good surgery/bedside manner. He laughs & jokes & I trust him. I've never thought of feeding him - tho I could probably pull a blossom off one of my flowering plants when I see him next week. Or give it to his receptionist.

sandra (eagerly awaiting the pics)

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 09:02 PM

Good luck with it.

My dentist seems kind of like your oncologist. For last week's appointment I took him a big eggplant that I picked right before I left the house.

SRS

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: maeve
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 09:01 PM

Thanks, Michelle. Sail on!

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 08:52 PM

I received an early morning phone call from the clinic that my doctor was sick and not coming in today so my appointment has been rescheduled for tomorrow.


Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 08:04 PM

Well, I've worked myself silly physically today and even did some yoga in the middle of my kitchen. I wore myself out and that is a good thing....helps to ease the anxiety.

My nearest neighbors are sheep so unless they are dressing up and looking for candy, we won't have any trick or treaters up here on the mountain (although I have been surprised by a few students some years).

Since Jeremiah's costume goes over his clothes, I am thinking about dressing him up to meet up with my mom tomorrow so she can see him in it. I'll be taking pictures for sure....the camera battery is charging as I type. I may post a few photos but I've been working on a very large montage and maybe I'll just include the photos there. Should I tell you what he's going to be for the day after Halloween? Nah...let's let it be a surprise. Depending on the day, I may take him into the clinic all dressed up. It's an amazing thing to see how people waiting for chemo or to have their ports accessed perk up at the site of a smiling baby....you can't help but smile back...it's contagious. :) And in turn, that makes my heart happy.

I normally take my oncologists fresh eggs but my hens are really troubled with all the gas drilling activity going on and are not laying as often as they had been so this time I am taking homemade applesauce, dilly green beans a few cookies that just came out of the oven...an odd combination but one that I know he will love anyway. :) My chemo oncologist is a homesteader wanna be...love him. And another thing...with ALL the people he sees (and there are A LOT), he KNOWS me. He REMEBERS me. Where most of the time a nurse will come to the very large waiting room and call a name, waiting for that patient to get up and go into the offices in the back, my doctor comes to the door, looks around, points to me and wiggles his finger. He KNOWS who he is looking for and I love that I am not a number in his book. :)

In addition to working myself silly, I took a Xanax. My husband is home to tend to the wee one (besides, it's just about bedtime) and there is no need for me to have this panicky feeling if I don't have to...that is why I have the meds in the first place. :)

Thanks for all the PMs.....you guys are the best. <3

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 07:28 PM

we need a pic of Jeremiah in his suit! (please)

sending wishes for good readings & a bit of halloween fun.

sandra

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 03:55 PM

Perhaps dressing him in his costume and answering the door with him a couple of times so he can see the kids in costumes would be fun. He'll take a reading from you, so if you're happy at the door, I think he'll enjoy the activity. You might vet the traffic through a window, not scare him with the zombie traffic, etc. I wouldn't do it for long, he'll get tired, but for his first Halloween it would be nice to dress up and be seen! When my kids were little, up until probably about four years old, they only trick or treated to a few family friends right there in the neighborhood, and they were finished.

SRS

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 01:27 PM

VT,

   Actually, I've been cleaning. Reading when the baby is sleeping and now that he is awake, he is having a bottle after playing in his crib while I rearranged the nursery and packed up more clothes that no longer fit. I also found a stash of larger winter things that I had tucked away and forgotten about...good thing because I am in need of winter jammies for my boy (he has sleep bags but those are kinda miserable to play in or snuggle in before bedtime as he can't move his legs about as he'd like.
    His little Halloween costume hangs upstairs in his room and we had had plans of going out last night (parade and to visit Nana and a few friends in his costume) but it was cold and he's had a little cough so we decided to stay in.

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 12:44 PM

distraction from anxiety then... what trick or treat plans have you? staying in a greeting the kiddies? dressing up and going out?

Subject: RE: LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 11:41 AM

It's not based in reality. The reality is in Jeremiah's eyes. (Stay there.)

~S~