<p>Ellen:</p>
<p>I don’t have any concrete advice to offer, but my thoughts are with you, Mini and your two wonderful daughters. I think you are doing the right thing by going to Florence. You may be able to enjoy this spectacular city and your vist will reassure your daughter as to your condition. I also think that being with your loved one is a great tonic. My best wishes to you and yours.</p>
<p>Ellen, I just want to add my support and encouragement to the growing chorus here. We all are appreciative of mini’s regular contributions and definitely feel like you are part of our cherished CC family. Our hopes & prayers are with you… and I hope you have a lovely time in Florence.</p>
<p>Individual reactions to chemo vary enormously. My husband continued working full time through two rounds of chemo–scheduled them for Fridays so he could rest for the weekend. Some of his friends on the same regimen took the entire time off from work. Talk to your doctor, take all the drugs s/he recommends, and give yourself permission to have as many or as few “up” hours as works for you. </p>
<p>And best wishes for a complete response. And a wonderful trip to Italy. I can’t imagine a better place to rest and relax.</p>
<p>Florence is a magical place, and will offer your family a memorable time together. </p>
<p>Sending strength and light to you and all of yours…</p>
<p>I tried to send this in a P.M. but it wouldn’t go through so… </p>
<p>Kick its a$$ , Ellen. Pardon the impolite language but nothing else says what I want to say the way I want to say it (and I’ve thought about for a while. ). 
My little sister is over two years a survivor. I’ll be thinking of you and your family. Good Texas vibes heading your way. ;)</p>
<p>Hi Ellen; It’s really nice to meet you. I’m so sorry about your illness. This site is very supportive and helpful. Yes, it’s a great idea to visit your daughter abroad. We look forward to hearing more.</p>
<p>Mini, I, too, am a two year survivor (3 surgeries, chemo, radiation … basically the whole nine yards)</p>
<p>My advice is to save your energy for only the things you enjoy. In my case, it was screw the housework and the job. Instead, take care of my kids, and go to ALL their events.</p>
<p>What I found most surprising about breast cancer was how emotional it was.
Big yahoo that your mom is coming to visit. You’re never too old for some TLC from your mama.</p>
<p>On afternoons when I was at my lowest, the biggest help was to have a cup of tea with my mom. Normally, I’m not a tea drinker, but there was something very calming when drinking tea and conversing with someone you love. Actually, I’m tearing up at the memories.</p>
<p>Also, take your meds as directed. Don’t even wait for side effect symptoms the first 3 or four days after chemo.</p>
<p>Best of luck, stay strong. This is just going to be a just a bump in the road.</p>
<p>I am so glad you feel that you can make the trip. One friend I know decided to make a family trip to Disney World midway through treatement. Trip had been planned and the diagnosis was hard enough on the kids so she didn’t want to give that up. It was good for all of them. Another accompanied his wife on a trip to India for her summer Fulbright grant just after completing chemo. Again, it was a good thing for him. And a very dear friend who also had a very aggresive form of breast cancer and has fought it for 9 years decided during the last round of treatment to pull her daughter out of school and take her to Germany to visit the Mom’s best friend (who was also a survivor). They were gone 10 days and Mom and daughter really bonded during the trip. Friend provided lots of support and help and they all three shared many memories. When she returned, she was emotionally more ready to continue treatment and the daughter was less afraid to move on with her life also. In all three instances, they made accomodations to account for the side effects of the disease and the treatment. Staying flexible and adjusting schedules on a day to day basis seemed to be the best strategy and in the end, all three were really glad they went. </p>
<p>The only thing I can suggest is you carefully research exactly what you will need in the way of documentation to bring your meds into Italy. Italy is rather strict on some things, especially pain meds. I suggest you email the Italian Consulate so you can get the wording of what info you need to have the dr. include in the letter he will need to send with you. For some meds, they want specific things mentioned (like generic name) on letterhead with DEA #. Don’t know if you have anything that falls in that category for them but it is best to check in advance.</p>
<p>Knowing you feel like making this trip has got to help both of your daughters feel better. Best wishes to all of you.</p>
<p>Ellen, best wishes and prayers for your recovery!!! As you can see from the comments above, you are not alone in this battle. Many, many people are treated and recover from cancer. Since your mom is a long-term survivor, I think that must bode well for you. </p>
<p>I had a little scare last year, and looked into some nutritional ideas. One thing I found was information regarding coenzyme Q10 and breast cancer.
<a href=“http://www.cancer.gov/cancer_information/doc.aspx?viewid=0E5B4097-610C-4A49-844F-D935F1D7BB07[/url]”>http://www.cancer.gov/cancer_information/doc.aspx?viewid=0E5B4097-610C-4A49-844F-D935F1D7BB07</a>
<a href=“Vitamins and Supplements Rooted in Science - Life Extension”>Vitamins and Supplements Rooted in Science - Life Extension;
<p>Also, I’ve read recent studies showing the benefits of Vitamin D. <a href=“http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12157671/[/url]”>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12157671/</a>
I’m not a medical person, but maybe you could talk to your oncologist about these nutritional supplements. The only other thought I’ll leave you with is to listen to your body. When you are tired, rest. Accept all offers of help, and forget about normal chores. Your job now is to nurture yourself so that you can get well!</p>
<p>Ellen: thanks for letting your cybercircle know what you are facing. Your and mini’s posts are always valued. You have received so many helpful posts and have wonderful friends encircling you, too. I know you would rather not be the focus of attention at this point in the game of life, and that you don’t want to disrupt your girls’ lives but I have one thought there. Your daughters know your physical being will be cared for but they will wonder about your spiritual and emotional state and they will worry. I love a line in a movie where the Mom tells a grieving kid, “You don’t have to be so good.” And none of you have to be “so good” either. Just let them know specifically you are “talking to” someone who understands during your weeks ahead when you are dealing with the worst of chemo …friend or a counselor. That you have a front line support system. Just like we parents are alleved of worry if we know our college kids have a strong peer group helping them problem-solve and rooting for them, your girls will be relieved if they know you are also being doted on and not neglected (by them.) They can tolerate your pain and feelings better if they know what you are going through is being recognized and supported while they are in college. Then they won’t have to “hide” their needs for reassurance or to also simply fret about you. None of you have to be “so good.”<br>
Florence art will transport you but the city can be noisy, too (Motorscooters from He##). Brilliant to get the apartment…so British of you. May I point out that slowtravel is also the way to go…their boards are full of meandering little days made up of small peaceful jewels of stops and “slow eating” that is so trendy among the slow travel tourist. British tourists are more ridiculous than we posters on CC with their little detailed posts including every little detail of each entree or treat.<br>
The Hill Towns are where the magic resides but you may only require the drives to get the cure. Slow travel also has a post where one simply gets on the city buses and looks out the windows…and you can get to Fiesole that way. Here is one drive our family did that was spectacular but in a totally simple way. <a href=“http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/sd_driving_tuscany.htm[/url]”>http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/sd_driving_tuscany.htm</a>
The light moves across the hill towns casting shadows over the incomparable landscapes if you go just exactly when the post recommends.<br>
May this time in chemo clarify for you how much you are loved and what wonderful daughters you have raised so this becomes a passage to a strong next chapter. Keep us posted…</p>
<p>Ellen,
Prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery coming your way from here, too. Enjoy your time in Florence with your D and do whatever you feel you are up for doing, nothing more. Your D will feel so much better when she gets to see you and hug you in person.</p>
<p>I am taking my meds, and trying to get down the 2 liters of fluid they suggest after chemo. Normal chores are out the window, a friend who used to do housecleaning is finding us someone we can hire to come in weekly. David (mini’s real name) and took the dogs for a walk around the block. It lowered their stress level and thus mine. I have friends who have offered to walk them when I can’t. As to work, I am working on call at this point doing mostly admits to hospice. My supervisior is wonderful, and letting me say what I can and can’t do.
I was in Florence when I was 17 and loved it. I can’t wait to go back, esp since will have an excellent guide and translator. We will be there in 4 weeks.
Thanks Curmudgeon, I have no doubt, at least most of the time. The trip along the way will probably not be pretty, but I can handle it, David just has to put up with my ever changing moods.
ellen</p>
<p>Dear, dear hospice worker! My dad died recently, was given 2 weeks and was gone in 5 days. He was 95. He was admitted to a hospice for his last few days on earth and he sang, recited poetry, said goodbye to family and friends and was gone. The hospice carers were like angels. I had no idea what wonders you work.</p>
<p>Now to you. The airline was kind to me on my return trip after being in the states, but they had all the documentation since I had to change my tickets. But no plane ride is pretty no matter the circumstances except business class beats the back. </p>
<p>Life events are not fair and we all get our fair share, so to speak and they usually blind side us. I don’t know you except I hang around here to touch base with my roots and what folks are thinking. Recently, probably from the loss of my father, I see everything differently. The good thing about these sort of experiences, we are given the chance to touch truths that we normally pass by. Funny thing, they are the only importance in our lives.</p>
<p>Aside the inconvienence, your trip and visit will be a spark. My best!</p>
<p>Ellen, I also thought that this info might be helpful. A friend told me about a Medical Evacuation service for travel overseas. It’s pretty inexpensive ($3.50 per day), and it might be worth looking into for the trip. Here is the link
<a href=“http://www.medexassist.com/Individual/Products/MEDEXSafeTrip.cfm[/url]”>http://www.medexassist.com/Individual/Products/MEDEXSafeTrip.cfm</a></p>
<p>Here’s another link to a supplement, Omega 3 fatty acids, that you might want to look at <a href=“http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/Omega3FattyAcidscs.html[/url]”>Internal Error;
<p>That’s it for the links! Good luck with everything.</p>
<p>Sending prayers, hope and happiness to you as you are pulled into this new path in your journey as a family.</p>
<p>Ellen,</p>
<p>Stay strong! I hope all goes well with your chemo and you come out stronger on the other side!</p>
<p>I haven’t read the entire thread, so I don’t know if this was offered up yet…but…Have you thought about taking any of those newish medications that can boost your immune system while undergoing chemo? I’m not familiar with them, as my father went through chemo long before they were available, but it may be a good thing to talk over with your doctor about before you book your tickets.</p>
<p>Stay strong! Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. :D</p>
<p>If you have the energy, a visit abroad with your daughter can be the most devine experience.If either you or your daughter has ever had an art history course you can share together the beautiful sites of Italy. And this time of year is perfect as the weather will not be too hot.Italy is eternal. And the religious artwork is so beautiful and reflects such a strong belief in faith it can be inspiring to you in your illness.</p>
<p>Ellen - my prayers are with you and your family,and I hope you have a splendid time in Italy.</p>
<p>Ellen: I just want to add my voice to the chorus of well-wishers. I have a dear cousin who is also in the midst of chemo, for a different form of cancer. Having a support system of family, friends, and extended community is so important, and it sounds like you have exactly that. Take care of yourself, and have a wonderful trip to Florence.</p>
<p>ELLEN - you have a wonderful circle of friends around you - physically and cyberically - my best thoughts and prayers are coming your way - to you and your whole family {{{{{hugs}}}}}…</p>
<p>Your trip to Italy will be great medicine for you and your gal - and your positive thinking will give you strength thru this. Bless you also for caring for others as you travel this journey - it certainly takes a very strong person to do what you do.</p>
<p>Bless all of you…</p>