Cyber Party !!!!!

Geetings to the Batallion of Loyal Women!  
     We may be hormonally challenged, certainly, and unorganized, most assuredly, but can't agree on the "Barbaric" descriptor, that we are not! (unless the Cyber Party gets too wild!!!)  
     It has been a stressfull week for everyone so let's relax and get to know each other beyond the various issues that bring us here to the Forum.  We have many new members and would love to get to know you all better.  We are not shy about telling our age here and love to talk about our kids, DH's and families.  We like to know where everyone hales from as the Battalion includes women from all over the US and Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and France.  The Battalion is truly global!  So drop in, bring goodies, pour yourself a beverage and we'll party!  

Mary V.

A special thanks to Dian our peacekeeper for the group name, I like The Battalion, it fits given the battles we all wage and the courageous character of the Woman here who are it's members!

[greenThumbs]

I am really just loving the title of book.  I think it should be written.  I can definitely see it featured on Oprah.

[brthbbs]

Oh this is so sad, I actually worried about my pinhead and if I would look fat once my hair was gone.  I think the book title could be expanded to be used for cancer support groups.  That way we would go with the expectation that we're going to laugh our sorry little bald heads off.  
L (takin' another sip of wine and munching on those chips)

[Raynbow]

I'd say my head is purdy white under this dark hair o' mine...I reckon I'd use one of them spray on tanners. Or I could just use clown white make-up on my face....either way, one would match the other! Can I have some grenadine please, I wanna' make cherry coke.

[DebiR]

How about a glass of cabernet for me?  Whose pouring, Mary V?  Thanks!  

All my life I have had straight straight hair.  My mother alsways said she married my dad for his curls and then she had a daughter with her straight hair.  After a large dose of radioiodine for thyroid cancer my hair really thinned.  Didn't go bald but it thinned a lot.  Two years later I have the curliest hair.  I love it!  Yesterday I had my 15 year old son in for a haircut and the lady was asking me if I had a perm!  I told her no, radiation.  The only good thing that came out of cancer!  

I am 46, three boys, 22, 17 and 15.  A great husband. Running is my passion and I have done 7 marathons.  Don't think I will be doing any more, though.

[Mid]

G'Day from Sydney Australia.
I just wanted to say that reading all post and how you are all so helpful to people is greattttttt and even though i dont know any of you i feel as if I do.
And thank you for being here for everyone.

I thought i would come to the cyber party even though for me it is Sunday 12.09pm so yep I'm your tomorrow but i can not tell you any of the winning numbers in any lotto and i cant really say who is going to have a sore head after the party.
So you all take care and again thank you for being here.
ps i not the best of spellers so please forgive me.

Take care Mid

[Gatsby]

Hey girls, can someone turn up the music?  I feel like dancin'

~Tascha

[brthbbs]

Or maybe we could invest in that product that's advertised on late night TV--you know, its a shield for your head and a can of spray paint?
L

[Gatsby]

Remember hair plugs???
~Tascha

[Gatsby]

Hey Mid welcome to the party.  Maybe vixen will make it too, she's from your neck of the woods.
~Tascha

[brthbbs]

Yeah, we could have a series of evenly placed hairs marching across our baldie heads and dye each of them a different color.  That way we could be right in with the crowd at the Grammy's
:) :) L

[vixen28]

Hi all! As my friend in Sydney just told you, we have just gone past midday here in Oz, so okay now for me to crack open my chilled chardonnay! Mmmmmmm, very crisp! That guacomole is excellent btw!!! Yum. It's hot here today, 35 degrees celcius (don't know what that is in US Raven - but pretty balmy I must say!) I'm wondering what woulda happened if I'd had to have chemo, cause I already have frizzy, curly hair, and from previous posts, wondered if mine woulda grown back even more wiry!!! (OR MAYBE IT'D HAVE GONE STRAIGHT!!!) Anyway, a good wig sounds just the go!

[Gatsby]

For the pagent we can have categories like... Most Shiney or Best Shaped,  maybe even Most Colorfull......
~Tascha

[Raynbow]

It was hot here today too, Vixen. I'm in the Appalachians of Tennessee and it was an unseasonably warm 78F! I planted a lavender bush and moved some of my boxwood hedges over because they're gettin' so bushy. Also, had little man's 3rd birthday party this morning. I'm worn out.

[vixen28]

Any cake left over Raynbow?? I particularly love bright green icing!

[CindiSue]

Hi CindiSue here,

I have to say I had a friend in high school named Louanna. She once went out with my now husband of 26yrs! He said she had very soft lips! HA HA!

I won't be drinking this evening. Have my surgery Fri and am trying to stay hearlthy. My 1 1/2 yr old granddaughter has a cold so I'm pushing the water. Have a little sore throat but hoping it won't get bad.

I am 47 and have 5 kids, 26yr old son, who has 2 little girls, 4 and 1 1/2 and a lovely wife, a 25yr old daughter who has 2 boys 6 and 3 and a great hubby, and at home we have 17 yr son who is graduating soon and 2 girls 13 and 11. Married my high school sweetie. He is mostly bald and I have always had very thick long straight hair. He won't even let me say the C word but I imagine a little "shared baldness" could be an area for some humor!

Getting a few thunderstorms here so probably won't be able to "stay cyber" but wanted to check in. My garden and orchard need the rain and it smells like spring so that is okay.

Have a great party and no running around the hot tub!   Cindi

[Raynbow]

Kewl, 'cause we got a Thomas the Train cake and it has all kinds of icing...green, blue, red, and white....It's the least rich, it is cool whip icing...on chocolate cake.  Green is my dd fave color (she's only 4!) LOL

[Gatsby]

I'm in Southern Maryland and it was really warm today too, 72f.  Lucky me, I just raked the yard and got the leaves out of the flower beds.  But you know, I saw some of my perinials sprouting. I love it when new growth starts.  I always feel that it is a new beginning and every thing is going to grow and thrive.  Pretty much like us, huh?
~Tascha

[brthbbs]

So is the hot tub suit optional?

[vixen28]

My boys are 16 and 14 and Thomas the Tank Engine was their favourite many moons ago! My daughter who is now 11, also loves green!! Happy Birthday to your darling boy!

[Gatsby]

We could have a scar competition too.  You know - Biggest, Smallest, Most, etc!!
~Tascha

[vixen28]

I was a little disappointed when the staples came out, cause they were holding a fold of about a cm of fat in between! BLAST!!

[brthbbs]

The day of my surgery I did my own hair shave and asked my daughter to draw a something over the area.  She said as she was drawing a jack-o-lantern on my pubic area, "If anyone asks me what is the most intimate moment I've had with my mother, well this is it."  I could hardly wait for the surgeons to lift my gown and see that grinning face smiling back at them.  When they saw it they just about fell on the floor laughing.  Later that's all my surgeon could talke about!!
L

[greenThumbs]

Southern Maryland!!  I am in North West Maryland.  It was a beautiful day today.  It was like all that has happened this week, good news received, not so good news recieved but today the sun shined down on us to let us know that we are still alive and full of life!!!  Since I moved about 3 years ago I have gotten into gardening despite my dislike for bugs.  I must be the only gardener that gardens with Raid near by.  I know I give my neighbors a show at times running from the little critters but it is relaxing - the gardening part that is.  My bulbs are starting to shoot up.  Can't wait until they bloom!!

[Gatsby]

Hey there neighbor!!  I just love it when things start to grow.  It was a beautiful day today, wasn't it?  Tomorrow is going to be just as nice.  We have to be outside tomorrow 'cause the kids have ball practice.  I have a 12 yr old daughter (will be 13 in May) and a 9 yr old son (will be 10 in April).
~Tascha

[vixen28]

That reminds me of the story of a woman who prior to going to her pap smear test with her male dr, decided to give herself a quick refresh with a damp washer. The dr said he had NEVER had anyone go to so much trouble for him before.  SHE HAD USED A WASHER THAT HER DAUGHTER HAD USED TO CLEAN UP SOME GLITTER!!! Hee hee.

[Gatsby]

I'm fixing another batch of margaritas, anybody need anything?
~Tascha

[Raynbow]

It's gonna' be in the 70's again here too. Supposed to be good from tomorrow until Tuesday that I know of.  We got clover, daffodil, tulip, crocus, and lavender blooming here already. (sigh) My pre-op appt. is on the first day of Spring (20th) That's great, I love Spring and Fall.

[Gatsby]

I am going to have to remember this in case I have to have surgery again.  BTW, my gyno has a twin brother who is a podiatrist.  They bought a boat together and guess what they named it?  ..............Pussyfoot!!!  lol
~Tascha

[dian07]

Hey, girl! My hair has alwys been extremely curly....you know, the kind of hair that didn't look wet even after diving into the pool! I have spent my life trying to straighten it ( it has been ironed, chemically straightened, wrapped around o.j. cans and slept on that way.....wrapped around my head....can't believe it didn't fall out before chemo!).
Now, five months after chemo it has been colored the wrong color....watch out for "golden" colors....I ended up golden alright.....like a pumpkin is the autum sun......then I went pink when I tried to get rid of the warm pumpkin....it looks real confused right now....but I'm going to fix that this week-end!
I figured my hair would come back a littl different....but I never figured it could get any more wirey....WRONG!!! Now my pubic hair is on my head....go figure! Plus, it came back the wrong color, or mostly lacking color except for the black all mixed in with the white; but; like I said, I'll fix that!
What a trip!
Peace, Ladies, Peace.
dian

[brthbbs]

I'm 55 and I thought I was in control of my life and especially my health.  I hate this cancer thing and it makes me feel so, so small.  I have two children, a daughter Heidi, age 30 who is an Olympic judo competitor, her husband, Scott Moore is a three time Paralympic medalist.  When Heidi was competing for the last Olympic trials her son was just 6 months old.  I was watching him for her and just before her match she asked if he was hungry.  I said yes, handed him to her, she nursed him and then beat the sox of her competitor.  Same thing for her next match.  A poster for LaLeche League don't ya think?  I have a son, Witney, age 27 who is a movie reviewer here in Los Angeles.  For money he works at a movie theater and still lives with his mother.  His time will come and you should all watch for his star in the future.  I'm a midwife with a homebirth service which I've had for 20 years.  I completed my master of art degree in psychology in 2004 with the idea that I might not have to be on call 24/7 to earn my money.  I just got a job as a clinical instructor for the nursing program at the local community college so I'm excited and a little scared at this new path I'll be taking.  The best news is that I finally got my new wig yesterday!!  It was quite pricey but soo, soo, soo worth it.  For the first time since this whole thing started (Oct. 2005) I feel like myself.  When I look in the mirror I don't see cancer, I see a healthy woman.  I recommend a good wig.

[DebiR]

Wow!  You are amazing.  I bet you look great in the wig!  What is your name or would you like to be called?  I am so impressed with your spirit.  You inspire me to be better with whatever lies ahead.  Thanks for sharing such great info.
Deb

[greenThumbs]

Green checking in for the the party!!  Diet coke is my poison and I am wonder if that contributes to symptoms.  Anyone know?  I will take a glass of water for now.

[Gatsby]

Here I am.  Just got finished with my daughter's softball practice.  Could someone pour me a margarita. Where shall I put the chips & salsa?????
~Tascha

[dian07]

I should've thought of this a long time ago......we should have "The Beautiful Shiny Head Pageant"!!!! Man, I should have taken pictures of my beautiful bald head so I could enter the competition! Mine was the smoothest, shiniest, most beautifully shaped, lilliwhite ( to the point of being blinding when out in the sun.. could have used it instead of a mirror to send messages!) bald head I have ever seen!
Guess I could be a little prejudiced...oh well....I did get a very nice wig, also. I referred to it as "my animal"...it got lost all the time.
Now, I love having this very short hair...it is so easy to take care of!  After a shower, just towel dry the one inch fuzzy stuff, and off I go....no more curling iron burns!  Yeahh!!
Since you are buying, I'll take a Chevas on the rocks, thank-you!
Now, let's bare those beautiful bald heads and party, party, party!
Peace ladies. Later.
dian

[greenThumbs]

Green checking in for the the party!!  Diet coke is my poison and I am wonder if that contributes to symptoms.  Anyone know?  I will take a glass of water for now.

[greenThumbs]

Sorry about that double post.  Working on too many things at once.  I swear I was just drinking water!!  With a wig you can try out that style that you always wondered about!!

[brthbbs]

When I started on this forced path I thought I would go to Venice Beach and have a henna tatoo on my bald head, but I'm not very amused by it at all.  I was please to find, however, that my head is nicely shaped.  I always imagined it to be irregular and lumpy, like my life :)
The new wig is matched to my former hair and is the real stuff.  I needed this camoflage (sp?) because I'm still seeing patients and I want them to worry about themselves and their health, not me and mine.  So I look like myself and no one knows (I remember a Bill Cosby routine where he talked about people at funerals saying of the deceased, "Didn't he look like himself?"  That's how I feel, "Hello, do I look like myslef?").  
My poison is guacamole, chips and a chilled white.  I'm not above putting an ice cube in if it's not cold enough--hope there aren't any wine purists out there.
My name is Louana and I just changed my last name from my first ex-husband's last name which I kept for the sake of the kids to my mother's family name.  My cancer self will keep the old name and my post cancer self will have the new one!!  Good stuff this week.  Nice to have you ladies in my life.
Best to the party
L

[soniek]

HI ALL!SORRY I HAVENT BEEN AROUND..WITH 7 KIDS,A HUBBY,AND EVERYDAY LIFE,I BARELY HAVE TIME TO BREATHE...THINGS HERE ARE GOING OK...I STILL HAVE THE PAIN IN THE RIGHT SIDE,AND MY INCISION HAS CAME OPEN,AND MY SEROMA IS STILL GUSHING..BUT,THE NAUSIA IS ALL GONE(THANK-GOD)...I HOPE ONE DAY I CAN LOOK BACK AND SAY..THIS WAS THE BEST THING I EVER DID...I KNOW I SURE CANT SAY IT RIGHT NOW,BUT IM SURE THINGS WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE...I SEE THE LADY DOC AT MY DOCS OFFICE THURSDAY...I PURPOSLY SCHEDULE MY APPT FOR A DAY WHEN MY DOC IS IN SURGERY,AND SHE WILL BE THE ONE IN THE OFFICE....HOW ARE  ALL OF YOU DOING??I FEEL LIKE ITS BEEN FOREVER,BUT I KNOW IT HASNT BEEN THAT LONG..A WEEK AT THE MOST....LOVE YOU ALL DEARLY....SONIE

[brthbbs]

Oh yes, this about me of which I'm proud--I was in Africa, Liberia and then Darfur on a medical mission 8/04-5/05 working as a midwife in the middle of the displaced persons camps.  Interesting work.  Also interesting that the cancer chose to wait to present itself until I was back here and recovered.
L

[Raynbow]

Wasssup! First time I've been on during a party!!
Dian07, LOL at "lilliwhite" head!! I get a mental pic of the White Lily flour I've got in the fridge!!
And Louana, LOL at thinking your head would be lumpy! I think mine would be....I kinda' got this little knot ridge in the very back above my neck....I call it the "melungeon ridge"! LOL
I also enjoyed your BIll Cosby quote!!
Coke is my drink, I don't drink diet drinks (especially if they contain aspartame!)
((((Raynbow

[Mary 53]

Hey everyone, my husband and Mother-in-law (MIL)and I just finished dinner, and since we have company (MIL) I can only pop in now and then. I am very lucky to have such a great MIL. She is getting older (87) and it is hard to see her decline. My Dad died when I was 20. He died of lymphoma, which he battled for two years. My Mom died when I was 46 and she was 86. She was dancing the Macarena (sp?) at my neice's wedding on a Saturday, and died in our arms the next day. She arrived at my brother's house (in my home state of Maryland) for another wedding-related party, and the next thing we knew, she had collapsed on the landing of the steps and died of a heart attack. She did not suffer but for maybe a minute. And, we were all there....from all over...Boston, Minneapolis, Alabama. We used to joke with her about how she was always in charge. Hmmm...I am still amazed at the circumstances of her death. Well, my, I digress.

I wanted to drop in and tell you I laughed at the thought of a contest about the scars. I cannot tell you how many doctors would make comments about my scar..."Hmmmm, yes, it is a very big, red scar!" .....Here I am six years post TAH and it is not very visible. Never thought I would see the day. And, the itching!!!

Humor got my husband and me through some of the rough patches after my diagnosis and before my hysterectomy. I cannot tell this story to too many people because it would be hard to understand out of context. But, one morning before the surgery, I poured a glass of orange juice. It smelled funny. My husband was nearby and I suggested he try it to see if it was okay. He sniffed it and suddenly looked at me with a wicked grin and said, "Heck, you're the one with cancer, YOU try it!!!" We both just cracked up!!!

Well, I have been called back to the kitchen several times, so I had better make, as my Mom used to say, "an appearance." I will check in later. We all have so much in common. My wine is waiting for me in the other room. Til later. Mary