Really though that it would be different this year...(m)

Diseases & Conditions Breast Cancer
1
But so far this week reminds me of the old Barry Manilow song called; "It's just another New Years Eve, another night like all the rest."
 
I hit my five year mark.   I was diagnosed on December 15th, first surgery was the 23rd, and the total masectomy was on December 30th.  I really was hoping that I would feel more relieved, more secure, more whatever.  But no.  I lost several friends this year to this wretched disease.  Two of my friends were diagnosed soon after they hit that "five year mark" so I tread cautiously. 
 
On a brighter note for Christmas I received the new Precious Moment breast cancer figure from my Tony and my children.  And from my sister I received a pretty breast cancer survivor bracelet.  Seems my five year mark was on a lot of family's members mind.  Of course it does help that my time is tracked with Jordan's age. 
 
And my favorite gift.  I got one of those steam cleaners that you see on TV.  It cleans everything.  I so love to clean.  and so does Jordan.  Tony just looks at her and says that there is no doubt she is my child. 
 
Happy New Year.  Who knows maybe this is the year for us.
 
 

Annette
We have raced "for the Cure"
Worn Lee's Jeans on Friday "for the Cure"
Bought New Balance tennis shoes "for the cure"
Worn pink ribbon pins "for the cure"
Collected donations "for the cure"
Ate pink M&M's "for the cure"
Drank Sutter Home wine "for the cure"
Spent an extra $.08 on a stamp "for the cure"
Ate Lean Cuisine frozen dinners "for the cure"
 
We have all done our part "for the cure"
now you do yours and get us that cure.

2
Congratulations, Annette, on the five-year mark. I know what it means to be ever wary of this disease. I am rapidly approaching my 9 year/5 year anniversaries and I STILL have a part of me that says "Don't be so comfortable. You can't know what's coming."''
 
We can only pray that this year may be different from any other year. We can only pray for the cure and, if not, that they find a way to prevent its progress until that cure is found.
 
On a happier note, though, you need to buy yourself something special for that 5-year mark. Diamonds will work very well. They really sparkle so nicely in earrings, don't you think?
 
Love You, Jo-Ann

A good friend will bail you out of jail...
but a true friend will be sitting
next to you saying,
"Dâmn... that was fun!".

3
Annette, congratulations on the anniversary. I am sure you are very happy to be at five years, even though we know we can never be totally sure. We need to think positive and not worry about things til we have something to worry about. Where have you heard that before?

I, too, received some breast cancer Christmas gifts, one daughter got me a cosmetics folder for traveling and it was designed and made by Vera Bradley. My other daughter gave me a magnetic pink ribbon to wear on my car, like the support the troops yellow ribbon.

Actually I got several neat things. There is one that stands out as unique. It is a docking station for my cell phone here on my computer desk. I keep my cell phone in it, keeping it charged that way, then there is a real receiver where you can talk on the cell phone like a real phone, giving better sound. It also rings like a regular phone and louder. Don't know about the rest of you, but unless my cell phone is right next to me I do not hear it very well. Another special gift is a utility cart. I have lots of use for it, moving stuff around, yesterday we used it next to the table to put serving dishes on so the table would not be quite so crowded. It will help me bring groceries in from the car, move any boxes around the house, etc.

Anyone else want to tell what they got that is really special?

Hugs MK


4

Annette- Congratulations on your five-year mark... tthey say there is less chance of a recurrance once you reach 5 years... but of course that is a moot point when you know of someone who's been dx after 5-yrs...it is all really a crap shoot, and thats what is so hard to deal with, in my opinion. 

Honestly, I would be so thrilled to see my 5-yr mark (which would be 2/21/06) and I just hope and pray that this year is a good one...for all of us.  I never thought when I was dx that I would even see 2005....the onc's "50/50 chance to see 5-years" comment is what is burned into my head....so I really do feel as if I am walking out onto thin ice!  Let's walk out there together... eh?

hugs and holiday wishes,

stef

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"It's been worth everything I've been through,
 To do what I do"

                       To Do What I Do   -Alan Jackson, 2004

5
forgot to add what I got for xmas... a really nice watch (I LOVE watches!!) and a professional camera tripod for my digital camera... I am trying to start a business this coming year (digital picture tours for businesses) and my husband, who is normally not so enthusiastic about anything, is really behind me with this idea. So his gift really meant a lot to me! :-)

Stef

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"It's been worth everything I've been through,
 To do what I do"

                       To Do What I Do   -Alan Jackson, 2004

6

Annette:

Congratulations!!  Five years is five years.  We don't ask for much do we?  Here's to five years x ten to continue to be your friends.

Love and hugs,

Candy


Many Holiday Blessings to All

 

 

Life may not be the party

 we hoped for,

but while we are here we might as

well dance.
   

7

(((Annette))), I wish I could just hug you and make that 5 yr. anniversary worry go away, but I can't.  I can only say take one day at a time and suddenly it'll be six yrs, etc.  We know that every day is a gift from G-d whether we have a chronic disease like BC or are plain, old healthy.  So grab every day that comes along and run with it.

I love reading about everyone's Christmas gifts.  Let's hear about more of them.  So much has happened since Chanukah that I can't remember WHAT I got.  I do know that I'm here to write to all of you and that is a wonderful, wonderful gift. 

I'm hugging you from not so sunny Nevada, Annette.  Love, Luci

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me lay an invincible summer.  Albert Camus

8
Okay, Luci, here's my Christmas present. I got a Texas State Souvenir Certificate which is going to cost me $182 for going 85 in a 70. Then, I will be paying more for auto insurance. Christmas? Bah, Humbug.
 
Love, Jo-Ann

A good friend will bail you out of jail...
but a true friend will be sitting
next to you saying,
"Dâmn... that was fun!".

9
Yikes, Jo-Ann! And here I thought going 65 was fast!!

Annette, we're celebrating this 5-year anniversary with you, hon. Since we're graduates of the BC School of Hard Knocks, we'll always be more aware of our mortality than some others. While aches and pains make us wonder "what if?", we have also earned a greater appreciation of the little things in life.

My greatest Christmas memories for this year were made by our children's reactions to their presents -- surprise and delight! Those are memories I will treasure.

Here's an extra hug for you, Miss Annette. Happy Anniversary!

Love,
Becky

10

I know that it has been a bittersweet year, Annette. But, aren't you glad you've had these past five years? Congratulations on passing the five year mark. It is just one more milestone on this journey. None of us knows when the end of this life may come. Like Luci said, we just have to appreciate every day. And, I know my days are richer and fuller for knowing the women here. So, I am glad we have made it this far.

Jo-Ann, you gotta slow down, my friend. I thought my mother had a heavy foot, but you have her beat. Hugs to all, Lauri

"Go confidently into the direction of your dreams. Live the life you always imagined" Thoreau
 
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

11
Annette, Congrats on 5 years! Mine was November 30, I am right with you on the timeline. I am now on less than 6 months of Tamoxifen, and hoping that they will let me skate a few months early...my brother just got engaged and I hope to be a few pounds slimmer for the wedding. I know what you mean about never feeling too comfortable, but odds are more and more in our favor now.

Presents....I got a cashmere sweater from my brother and his fiance. DVD's from Leigh, not sure if we are doing more for Chanukah though. We got a little behind.

And yes, retail therapy for the 5 year mark is a good idea. I was looking on line and found some beautiful gold charms with a pink stone, pins, slides, for charm bracelets, etc. They were reasonably priced and nice looking, and not all looking like the traditional ribbon. I forgot where I found them, but just put something like pink ribbon charms into google.

L&H,
Lori

Post Edited (Tavish) : 12/28/2004 8:30:38 PM (GMT-7)

12
Annette,
 
Congrats on the 5 year mark.  Try to look on the positive side of things - that's what I try to do.  I've learned one thing about myself during this ordeal.  I am a very optimistic person.  I never realized it before.  I second the comment of not worrying about something until there is something to worry about.
 
My Christmas gifts were a neat rose designed baking pan and a pineapple ceramic dish from my brother, a journal from my hubby (gimpy), a picture frame with 3 pictures of my sister and I when she was here visiting me, and various others from friends.  We had a really nice Christmas. 
 
I went back to work yesterday and was welcomed back with such enthusiasm.  I have never worked with such a wonderful bunch of people before in my life.  I just wish the pay was MUCH better!  By the afternoon, I felt like I hadn't been away.
 
Here's hoping that each and every one of us has a better year in 2005!
 
Love and hugs,

Kathy

13
yeah  Annette, congratulations on the 5 year mark ! We are on the same schedule.  I got to start tamoxifen with my first chemo treatment (the trial) so, I'm at the 5 year point on that now.  Lab tests show I am not menopausal yet to start letrozole.  So, we are trying to figure that part out.
 
But, Please know how thrilled I am and hope that you are that we made it to the first major milestone..... 5 years  !  And look at that Jordan, every precious moment!  It is hard to know how to handle the feelings that come with all this.  I understand your fears.  But 5 years  !!!!!!! yeah hooooooo ! Bring on the NEW YEAR !   Lots of Love, Julie J (jules)