Lemonland's a Must-Squeeze

To all my young girlfriends.
To all my male friends that have girlfriends or wives.
To everyone out there with breasts. (yes, even men get breast cancer!)

Through my Group, and through becoming more involved socially with people with cancer, I have discovered that breast cancer is no longer just for women in their forties. I have met many younger women (one as young as 21 years of age) that have been diagnosed with breast cancer in their early 20's- early 30's. Some of these young women have even been caught with late stage cancer which is much harder to treat. Breast cancer is no longer for the middle-aged. It's time to become more aware of your health, and to keep an eye out for the signs.

A friend named Shelley, who is part of the "group," directed me to her friend's site. This is a take things into your own hands (no pun intended) site. It's also as cute as a breast cancer site can be. Lemonland is the name, and cancer detection is the game. Please make time for your health and stop by lemonland and learn.

Post ya' later,

Luv,

Lori

Lickin' Mom's Blues Away

Lickin' Moms Blues Away, © Lori Miller 2005.

Feeling much better now. Thanks to all my well-wishers, especially Sandee–from one cancer patient to another it is reaffirming to know that its not just me, and every once in a while this illness, along with its therapy, can make a person an emotional wreck. Otherwise I would deem myself crazy.

In case you're wondering, there were several things that led to my breakdown, but my husband describes it best at his Cancer blog- post: Week from Hell... Then there is also the subject I have avoided to write about because, well its a private girlie issue. But what's to stop this emotional roller coaster now?

Oh, chemotherapy...you come with so many side effects. At first some of your side affects are a reprieve from extra girlie responsibilities, such as no leg or armpit hair to shave. I have no hair on my head to wash or cut. No eyelashes or eyebrows I must make pretty. You have even given me time off from my monthly visits from Aunt Flow.

At first the time off from Flow was nice. Well, after 2 years plus 8 months, according to my gynecologist Aunt Flow is now pissed and she is not coming back. Without my Aunt Flow my ovaries have shut down and I am now a 29 year old menopausalish women. My hormones are up and down and down and up.

To all my young girl friends out there, hot flashes are real and they suck. It also sucks to feel wonderful one moment and out of control the next.

I would like to end this post by saying God Bless my husband. He is a strong, strong man and I love him dearly.

Pain

Being ill from cancer I suffer from both physical and emotional pain." Which is the worser of the two?" I argue back and forth within my mind. I come to the conclusion more often than not that it is the emotional pain that torments me the most.

Taking A Cancer Blog Break

Hi everybody...I'm feeling a need to take a break from writing right now, so I'll be back in a few days.

See ya' then!

Take care : )

Bernard Berliant Ganz

Bernard Berliant Ganz, © Steve Ganz 2005.

Better known as "Barney" or "Dad". Left this earth peacefully and surrounded by love on July 7th, 2005 @ 13:00 PST. He was a devoted husband and beloved father. Barney is survived by his wife Carolyn, daughter Wendy, sons Geoffrey & Stephan and grandchildren Hayley, Joseph and Andrew Jr.

Uploaded by Steve Ganz on 7 Jul '05, 7.34pm PDT.

No chemo for me!

Yesterday I was scheduled for my first out of three weekly doses of chemo. Well that did not happen because my WBC count (white blood cells) was too low. I should have guessed that considering what the last two weeks were like for me. So yeah, one more week off for a little "R and R".

Kizzy, "my sister-in-law," (who has become more of a friend and real sister to me) along with her sweet boyfriend Brian is coming up from the Bay Area to visit. We have plans to go to the Yuba River in Nevada County. It is beautiful there! No worries, I will slather on the sunscreen. :) Gotta make this post short because we are running late.

Post to you soon!

Lori

Pokin' around before chemo

Part of the Job
© Lori Miller 2005

Wednesday morning I was up early and at em'. I went in early for my blood work. Its best to go real early or real late, otherwise you can wait sometimes over an hour before they call you in for your draw. Its not the staff, its the lack of staff.

Anyways, I must have my blood drawn before I receive chemo. I can't possibly count how many times I have been poked with the needle. Thats not even giving thought to the pokes I get in treatments and scans and etc,etc. I have become one with the needle.

In the begining of this whole cancer crisis I remember in detail my very first blood test. I was so nervous, so tense. I had to turn my head away from the phlebotomist as she drew three small tubes of blood from me.

Now after hundreds of these pokes I can sit comfortably still and chat away with the tech as they draw my blood. They know my name and I know all of theirs. We talk about our private lives. We laugh and have fun with each other. Here I am now taking a photograph of the weekly procedure.

After she/he is finished drawing my blood we say good-bye, see you next week. Everytime I leave that lab. and walk down the hallway to the exit doors I wonder to myself...When is this going to end?

A Soldier's Story

My friend Seth who is stationed somewhere in Iraq has a 4th of July post that made me appreciate my life even more. I also left his blog with much more respect for our men in the military. From the perspective of Staff Sergeant Lombardy.


Seth,
Thanks for your support.

Holiday in the Sun

Oh, what can I say. It is past my bedtime or should I say I am actually ready to sleep. The 4th of July was great. Invited a few friends over for a BBQ and lit off one, yes just one firework. The company was great the food was American and I had a few sips of wine without managing to hurl.
This is my week "off" of treatment. For those of you who don't remember its 3weeks of Taxol, 1 week off. The 1 week off is the time my body needs to recoup its cells (feel a little less toxic) and my time to catch up on things like house work, yard work blah,blah,blah.

So if your really looking for something to read with a little more substance this evening you should visit Cancer NewsWatch .There you can find up to date info on cancer research and studies and the read is actually understandable, even for this chemo-head. :)

Love and Peace

Rise and Shine and Melt

I arose from sleep early this morning feeling well rested and excited about the day. Like a good girl, I first did my Qigong and tried to focus on "Dad." Regardless of what the outcome may be, I visualized that he be at peace within himself. I concentrated on the thought of no more suffering for Barney.

I am off for a early walk with the dogs and along the way I will look for some great photo opportunities. I have got to get the walk in early because its going to be a hot one today! After saying that I think of my friend Seth. He is stationed somewhere in Iraq serving his "country"(President Bush). The last time he emailed he wrote of sweltering tempertures averging between 130-150. I feel sorry for our troops. : (

Stay tuned, more to come...

Be A RockStar

A real quick post...I have lots of ground to cover today. Today is White Band Day. I want to be involved in this as much as I can, so I decided to go around to my community's Coffee houses and Grocery Stores asking them to join in on White Band Day. I have cut numerous large bands out old white bed sheets and with their permission I will wrap evey tree and pole I can. I have all ready tied white bands of old linens around my trees and parts of my house. So Gotta run...Do you have any old white bed sheets around? Maybe you could do the same. : )

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