"leslie get your gun"

Les failed to mention her favorite sister Wendie, that's me, is also here unselfishly and lovingly taking care of her. Les was promptly out the back door an hour after we got home shooting a poor iquana flat dead. As of right now she is quite well. We just drugged her up for a long winter's nap-no nausea thus far...maybe just maybe this one will be nausea free. Keep the prayers coming.
Wendie

November 30th

Hi all. Dave blogging for Les. We just got home from chemo and she is chowing down on Doug's left over beef tenderloin watchin a movie. Thanks for all the prayers and love-keep em coming.
We will update later.

Nov 29

Tomorrow is Chemo number 3. My brother David is here and will be blogging for me for the next few days. His phone number is 352-339-4975 if anyone wants to speak with him. Happy New Years to all my blogger friends. I have tried to change somethings in the settings so hopefully it will be easier for everyone to post on my blog now. We will see.... not too computer savvy

Finally cool again - In the sixty's

Karyn and her little family left this morning. That little Tyler is all boy. He is so much fun and has the sweetest little personality. Charlie and Karyn are wonderful parents for the little guy.
We went down to CityPlace and watched the "snow" last Sunday. That is where this picture was taken.

Nice day in South Florida

Grandkids are here and having lots of fun!

They got here!

This is Mariela on her way to see grandma.
She is smiling because she has a milkshake!

Rainy Thursday

ANOTHER hot rainy day. When is winter gonna come to south florida?

I did have a great nap this afternoon during the rain. When I woke up at 5 it was so overcast that I thought it was morning. Tom was calling me on my cell and I thought it was my alarm clock going off! I was out of it.

Went to small group tonight for the Christmas party. Thanks for hosting Ginny & Ray!

Wednesday 12/16

Susan came over and we made gingerbread cookies this afternoon. Thank you Susan.
Really getting excited about my grandbabies coming Saturday!

Mark you are too funny!

Happy Birthday to me!

51 today. I think it is the new 30. This new hairdo is really helpful for hot flashes so that makes me feel younger also.
Rainy day, perfect for a birthday nap.
Thanks to everyone who has signed up for "Team Gano" for the race for the cure Jan 30.
Carmen, you are going to be sorry you volunteered to pull me in a wagon!

race for the cure

https://www.kintera.org/faf/login/page_edit.asp?ievent=318557&lis=0&kntae318557=182C686DE0144F298BF39B6D550D33F5

I think the above link is the one to the webpage I started for the Race For the Cure.
please think about donating $5. Thanks.

Feeling better today. Going to the Sari Center for Lymph work later today.

My little Tyler and Mariela were in their church play last night. Tyler was a cow and Mariela was an angel. Tyler was on the moooove and wouldn't stand still and Mariela wouldn't smile. Both screamed and would NOT visit Santa.

85 degrees in WPB today

Took a drive to see the ocean today. What a beautiful south Florida day.

Does anyone know why some people are not able to write on my blog anymore? I have had a bunch of friends say they once could write on the blog and now can't. Anyone know why or most likely have a kid that may know why this is happening? I think it has something to do with Gmail or google mail. Any ideas? lots of you are just writing me on AOL or facebook now. Shouldn't be too hard to figure out but it has got me baffled.

I'm Baaacckkkk!

Karyn has gone home and here I am blogging again. Mucho better this time. Karyn drugged me big time. She woke me every 4 hours to drug me to put me back to sleep. Reminded me a little of those college days... No need to comment Leslie Echave!
Anyway, today I just feel like I have been in the ring with Mike Tyson (except I still have my ears) The shot to boost my white count makes my bones ache because it forces them to produce the cells I need for my immune system.
Tom is heading off to Publix for groceries. He has become quite the little house-husband. I am getting ready to watch Christ Fellowship live online.
BTW... I am going on a campaign to raise $$$ for the Susan B Komen race for the cure that is going to be January 30th in WPB. 75% goes for screening and helping women (and men) in south florida get care for breast cancer. The other 25% goes directly to research to help stop this disease. I would like to get a team of 10 together for the walk. Anyone in? Even if I have to be pulled in a wagon, I am going to be there. Also, I am asking for $5 or $10 donations to Susan B. Komen so I can raise money for the cure. I know it is a tough time for everyone financially but $5 is just giving up starbucks for the day.
Thanks for all the continuous prayers, thoughts, posts, notes, calls to Karyn etc. You don't know how it has kept me going. I have the best friends and family in the world. God is so good and in control of this whole process. Love you guys!

Saturday 12.12

Karyn blogging for Mom again!
Mom is doing much better today. We drugged her all day yesterday because she was still having nausea issues. Better to sleep than puke! She woke up this morning feeling much better. Dad and Mom took a small walk around the block this morning so that is a really good sign that she felt like getting outside. Her bones are a little sore today but that is normal with the shot she received on Thursday. I am leaving today so hopefully she will feel like blogging tomorrow. Keep the prayers coming!

Thursday 12.10

Karyn blogging for Mom again!
Mom's doing pretty well today. She had a doctor's appointment this morning to get her blood cell booster shot. She did fine during to night....a little nauseated but no puking so that is a remarkable improvement. The miracle pills are working. She really appreciates all of your prayers! I am still answering all calls for her so if you are looking for an update call my cell phone.

Wednesday 12.9

This is Karyn blogging for Mom.
We are home from her 2nd treatment. She slept(snored)through most of the treatment and she seems like she is doing well. They gave her lots of sleepy meds. Anyone who needs a update can call my phone 561-312-9752, Mom's is on silent. I will update later tonight after we see if it's anything like the last treatment. Keep praying!

Tuesday

Thanks for all the encouraging posts. Karyn got here safely. Hoping to get a good night sleep. Going in at 9 in the morning. Nervous!

Monday, Monday

Had my first acupuncture session at the Sari Center. Gonna give it a try but it is a little strange for me. Was going to try to make it to the stretching class but still had a bunch of little needles sticking out of me like a porcupine.
Getting some last minute things done before I am poisoned again Wednesday morning.
Karyn is coming down tomorrow. Will be great to have her here for moral support. Kat is keeping Tyler so Karyn will be trying to get the holiday cooking done and frozen so when they all come down on the 20th the cooking will be done already. Karyn is a great cook. Wish I could take credit for it, but it was definetly Toms mom who taught my kids to cook. Miss her.

Sunday Afternoon

Can't believe the Dolphins pulled one out!
Went to church this morning for the first time in weeks. We have been watching it online so I wasn't in a crowd. There is something about worshiping with a couple thousand people singing and raising hands in praise that is so uplifting. The message was on Living by Faith. 2 Cor 4:18. He also spoke on Tebow with John 16:33 on his face.
Oh, it was all good for me to hear today before I go through another chemo this coming Wednesday. I am feeling so good right now. Took a long walk and just enjoying this 76 degree weather.

South FL cool weather

It turned cool tonight. 60 degrees. Love the cooler weather. Nice day. Breakfast with a bunch of girlfriends then a nice nap then went to friends in Jupiter and got to watch the boat parade and fireworks tonight. They let off fireworks all the way from peanut Island to the Jupiter Lighthouse. Great show. Sorry to all my Gator friends. Believe me, I feel your pain.

buzz cut

Very freeing to get the last of my hair cut. Something is very wrong when you look better in your wig than in your real hair. I had forgotten that I had fallen and busted my head about 20 years ago. Still have a nice scar on the back of my head. Don't drink too much since that incident!! Wendie was a bad influence on me ;-)
Going to yoga over at the Sari Center. It is nice to hang with other cue balls!

Hair today, gone tomorrow

The time has come. My hair has been falling out in handfuls for the past 2 days so this morning I am getting it buzzed.

rainy Wednesday

Don't know why but I am a little weepy today. My white count is coming up so I am feeling better physically but am emotionally whipped.
Went to the Sari Center today to get my lymphodema worked on and spent the entire 45 minutes listing things in my mind that I was greatful for. I DO have lots to thank God for!
Sorry Michelle for whining at work!

cool youtube video

Just saw this video made for Breast Cancer by a hospital. It is lots of fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpo-7bHeJyk

Monday nov 30

Had a nice Thanksgiving with all the family. Loved being with Ty and Mariela. They are both at such a sweet age.
Feeling better and stronger every day. Thank goodness they decided to do chemo every 3 weeks instead of every 2 weeks. Gives me a mental health week to feel better and get out a little.
Went to the Sari Center and attended a stretching class this morning. After 3 surgeries my muscles in my arms and chest are really tight from holding them weird.
Tomorrow I have my first appt to work with the lymphodema i have gotten from taking all the nodes out in my chest and armpit on the right side.
Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and didn't eat too much!

Happy Thanksgiving

Hi Blogger friends! Want to wish everyone a terrific Thanksgiving. Safe travels and , happy times with all your family and friends. Tom and I are heading up to Palm Coast tomorrow to be with my family, probably around 20 of us in all. Looking forward to seeing my cousin who flew in from California and most of all looking forward to seeing Tyler and Mariela and giving them lots of grandma sqeeeezes!
This year, I have spent extra time reflecting on how Thankful I am for all who have lifted me up so regularly in prayer. It is wonderful to be so peaceful in such turbulent times and I know that is only a peace that comes from "Papa".
Blessings to all.

white blood cells

Went to see Dr. Caldera this morning and my white cell count is 2800. He is satisfied with that number. Said I could go to my relatives for Thanksgiving. No hugging/kissing. No petting the animals. No raw vegetables or fruit that isn't peeled. I'd say the big thing is that a DO get to see my grandbabies!

Up in the middle of the night again

Boy am I old. In bed by 8 and up by 2 AM. A jet flew out of PBI and they usually start at 6:30 so I jumped up and started my day about 4 hours early. Kat and Julian got in. It is fun to see them. I think all my family has needed to come stare at me and make sure I am not on deaths door. Once they see me the novelty wears off. I figure by the 3rd chemo treatment I will have to beg for help.

back in the saddle again

Thanks Susan for throwing that blog up for me! Supposed to be funny, ha ha.
I've been sprung from the hospital. Still can't focus straight because of all the drugs they gave me but they worked so what the heck. MAN, that was bad.... They say the first is usually the worst and I hope it is true. Next time they can give me something called nemen to keep away the nausea.you have to fail the other stuff or insurance won't let you get it. It is $1000.00 I even offered to pay for it but good ole american medicine and insurance said no. So I imagine I spent more than that being in the hospital for 2 days. Anyone out there with some common sense who would be willing to run our healthcare system? They checked out my white cells and they seem to be holding pretty good.
Julie and Dad are leaving tomorrow and Kathleen and Julian are coming. Karyn is keeping Mariela for us. I am glad that Kat is coming because I think her dad could use lots of hugs about right now. St. Tom has been wonderful as usual. I know he has be so worried. Those little hospital chairs are not very condusive to a good night sleep. especially with your wife whining in the background. I have had my iphone on playing Joel Osteen itunes. I call him my boyfried because I listen to him all the time during this. You know, "don't let satan still your joy" He sounds a little like mr. Rogers but is very inspirational for me. Keep that positive attitude going! Well will blog again when the drugs and my eyes clear so I can see what i am typing. Thank you all for ALL the prayers. I know it is what has pulled me through. God is good and still very much in control! Love you guys.

New Update

Hey Ya'll, posting for Leslie today. She had a rough time with the Chemo treatment. The nausea was difficult to control. She was given fluids on Thursday and sent home. On Friday they decided to admit her to the hospital for the weekend to keep her nausea at bay and to make sure she stayed hydrated. She is much better today, although they are keeping her on some excellent drugs so she will rest. The Drs. plan is to release her tomorrow. If you could please keep posting comments to the blogs she will catch up with them in the next couple days. She is not really up to phone conversations or guests right now, but appreciates everyone's prayers and concerns. Love to all, Susan

Chemo 1 complete

I am home. Took a nap and watching Andy of Mayberry
awake and my tummy is yucky so I just took a compazine. Maybe it will make me sleep. I am going to try to attach a picture of dad in the Susan Boyle wig.
Compazine didn't stay down so put one is a suppository. Hard to puke that out.
Thanks for prayers. Maybe tomorrow will be easier on my stomach.

Blogging during chemo

Okay I am in the chair. Getting a bit of a relaxing medicine in my port then antinausea medicine then steroid THEN poison. Hoping this first drug knocks me out so I don't have to think about the others.
The nurse said one day soon I will wake up but my hair won't. It will stay in bed on my pillow. Sweet little lady. I'll blog more when this is done. Nighty night.

Visit to Moffitt breast center

On our way home from Tampa. In
true Tom fashion we are driving on every 2 lane, vegetable picken, back road he can find. Of course, I am trying to hydrate myself by drinking 8 bottles of water before my chemo tomorrow morning. Stopping at every place I see to find a bathroom. It will take us 6 hours to get home at this rate.
Went to Moffitt this morning and talked with a very knowledgable team of doctors. Mostly they agreed with my current oncologist. Chemo treatment is same that they would recommend. Moffitt would give chemo every 2 weeks instead of 3 but said it really didn't matter. The big difference was Moffitt felt like it could actually still be an estrogen positive cancer even though my oncotype came back negative. Moffitt is ordering all my original pathology slides etc and re-reading them and re-doing them if they feel it us necessary. If it IS estrogen based there is medicine to help keep it from coming back. If it is not then it has a 30% chance of reappearing in the next 10 years. Of course with the advances in breast cancer 10 years could mean anything.
Anyway, it was well worth the trip across the state for the 2nd opinion from a regional breast center.
So, tomorrow morning starts my chemo. Some sort of red adriamyacin and another chemo concoction. They call it "the red devil" because it is strong and causes all the nasty side effects I have always connected in my head with chemo. I
feel a little like I'm going to a Jim Jones meeting and being forced to drink the kool-aid.
Obviously, I am nervous about this first treatment and would appreciate special prayers for tomorrow.
My dad and sister Julie are on their way down for moral support. I feel like that movie "my big fat Greek wedding" with all my family and extended family and friends involved with my right boob!
Thanks to all of you who have blogged, emailed, facebooked and actually snail mailed to keep in touch and make me realize how much love there is surrounding me! Hope you all have a blessed day!

What a Saturday

Wow, what a beautiful day in South Florida. Not too hot, a nice breeze and very sunny. I am sure all the snowbirds will be heading down soon. Dave got me an orchid from McClain's. It's a beautiful vanda. He said even i could keep it alive...we'll see.
Well my Seminoles FINALLY won a game. They have become a team that only a mama can love. Go Noles. Now Watching Gators vs S.Carolina. Who the heck do I cheer for?
Talked with my cousin today from Tenn. Hi Jeannie! I have a great family! I think I must have thousands of people praying for me ALL over the U.S. thank you to all of you who have passed the word. God is really taking great care of me these days!

TGIF

What a beautiful day in West Palm today. Sunny and cool.
Mom, Dave and I went and got a great wig. I think I may want to shave my head early just so I can put on this perfect hair every day. Since we were already down south we went to the Hard Rock Casino for a couple of hours. Dave and I played together and won some $$$ playing 3 card poker. We left while we were ahead. Yeah!
Now that I finally have all my bandages off I can actually take a shower and wash my hair all by myself. Little things feel so good! Still very swollen and sore so I just keep lots of advil and ice handy.

Terrific Thursday

Went to Dr. Masse this morning. The last nodes they removed were ALL negative. The oncologist KNEW FOR SURE from the PET scan and MRI that 2 of them were cancerous. Well I guess my God knew better!!! What this means is that only 1 sentinel Axillary node had micrometastatic cancer in it. This brings my cancer down from Stage 3 to stage 2. It also means that this is just the beginning of all the prayers being answered!
Got all my records together to take to Moffitt next week.
My brother, Dave, and my mom came down today. We went and got a cute ball cap that has hair the same color as mine that is attached with velcro. That way you can just keep changing the hair to different color ball caps. The had a button at this place that said "I paid my oncologist alot of money for this hairstyle"
Gotta keep my sense of humor.
Oh, I am gonna sleep good tonight.

Veterans Day Wednesday

Court Holiday so Tom was off. We went into the office so I could catch up on some bills then up to Port St Lucie to drop off a key to the realtor. House is back on the market. Selling boat too. We are "simplifying" our life! Told to stay out of the sun for the next year because of chemo and radiation so boating is out. Tom and I went to the sari center over by Good Sam. What a great place. They talked with us about every question we could think of regarding side effects of chemo and nutrition and just general knowledge of what we are going through. My hair will start falling out about a week after chemo starts so we went to the Amer Cancer place here and got a wig. Looks like I put a guinea pig on my head. Maybe my hairdresser can help me with this. ANN?
I have a feeling I will be a scarf or ball cap sorta girl.
Now have an appt at Moffitt for 2nd opinion on Tuesday. Still starting chemo next wednesday but would like to have and be kept up on all the progress made on triple negative breast cancer. Things are really changing fast which is great.
Appointment with my surgeon in the morning to get bandages off and get most recent pathology reports. I love Dr. Masse. She has a potty mouth (takes one to know one) but a great heart.
When Tyler was here I got down on my knees and he walked up to me and put his little finger on my bandages. I said "grandma has an oowee, be careful" and he leaned over and gave my bandage a kiss. OH...melt my heart!

Tuesday 10th

Well, house is quite. Wendie, Karyn and Tyler all left around 12:30 today.
Will miss them.
Wendie found a place called the Sari Center near Good Sam hospital. It is place just for cancer patients. They do counseling, nutrition, yoga, massage & acupuncture among other services. They are all nurses and they help on a sliding payment fee for anyone who has cancer. Pretty cool. I have an appointment with the nurse educator to get going with them. Sounds like it will be helpful.

Monday the 9th

Had my mugascan today. Nuclear medicine, It really is incredible.
Dr. Masse said she thinks my mouth issue is probably from my antibiotics, so I am going off of them and see what happens. I have another appt with her on Thursday so if not remarkably better by then I will get pill for Thrush.
Moffitt could not get me in until Dec 2nd. That is right before my 2nd chemo treatment. I am not willing to wait an extra 3 weeks to get my treatments started.
There are couple of doctors locally that are affiliates with Moffitt and I have put in a call to one. I do believe there is a "standard of treatment" for triple negative breast cancer, just as there is for estrogen, progesterone or HER2 breast cancer.
I am trusting God to make sure I am headed in the correct direction. I feel I have had fabulous doctors headed up by Patricia Masse my surgeon.
Thanks everyone for your blogs. Have enjoyed keeping up with everyone.

Sunday Morning

Karyn and Tyler came yesterday. Tyler had a rough night. He is not usually a crier but was overtired.
I think I am going to church on the internet this morning. Trying to keep myself away from crowds so my immune system stays strong.
Got an email back from Moffitt. Am trying to get an appt over there this week to have my records reviewed. Want to make sure I am getting the newest in care standards. My oncologist is onboard with me getting any up to the date information available.
Moffitt is aligned with Anderson in Texas. Both are known for their breast cancer centers. My brother in law has an in with someone at Moffitt.
I think Sloan Kettering in N.Y. is the top center. Anyone know anyone up there?

Watching Andy of Mayberry

These are such great old shows. How did Opie lose all that hair? Whoever thought of TIVO or DVR was brilliant. I can record these and watch them while I am up in the middle of the night. I am enjoying the comments on my blog. Thanks friends

Hazy Day in West Palm

Wendie and I went over to Dreher Park Zoo to walk around this morning. I was tired after about 10 minutes but it felt good to get out of the house. That place is overrun with iguanas!
Am set up for a mugascan on my heart on Monday. It is another nuclear test they are doing on me. I think it is to make sure my heart is strong enough for the chemo. My heart has made it through 3 surgeries in 3 weeks. My guess is I have no heart issues. I do have a question though. Karyn and Tyler will be coming down tomorrow and staying for a few days. Do they need to stay away from me after I get shot up with the nuclear concoction? After my PET scan they told me to stay away from pregnant women and babies for 24 hours. Anyone in blogland know this answer?

Hello friends

Thanks Susan for setting this blog up for me. Thanks for every ones prayers and concerns for me. I am VERY appreciative of you all. I had my 3rd surgery Monday. They put in my chemo port and took out some more nodes. I think they were called subclavical nodes. I am quite sore but well drugged. Went to the Oncologist yesterday (Caldera) and got the results from my oncotype tests they did a couple of weeks ago. It turns out the cancer is called a triple negative breast cancer. This means it is not from estrogen, progesterone or HER2. It is an aggressive cancer so they will be treating it aggressively. Wednesday Nov 18Th is my first chemo treatment and I will be having one every 3 weeks for a total of 8 treatments.
I am very open to people knowing what is going on but to repeat the same thing time and time again is exhausting and it is hard to keep a positive focus when I am explaining the whole negative stuff over and over. So hopefully this blog will keep everyone up to the minute and we can all just focus on me getting well and living a positive life.
Thank you to all who have been keeping Tom and myself in prayer. God is great and we will all get through this and the glory will be His.

HI!

Thanks for joining us on Leslie's new blog. I have set this up so Leslie or who ever can post the updates on her healing. This way we all can keep up with what is going on and she won't have to repeat herself ten times in an hour. Have a blessed day! Susan