Wish me luck ...

[Joan]

Most definitely, Mince! Whatever takes your fancy, and thanks. 

[Joan]

Thought I would just do a quick update to explain why I haven't been around for a wee while.  For the last month, my sister has been here staying with us and as my FB friends will know, we've been gallivanting all over the place and having a ball.  We've "done" most of the touristy things in Sydney, even an open topped bus tour, and had a very enjoyable few days trip, first to the Hunter Valley and then Mudgee, which is a lovely country town just on the edge of the Great Dividing Range.  The weather has been amazingly fantastic most of the time which has been a big help.  Having such a great time, I'm going to come back down to earth with a bump when Sue goes back to Scotland next Saturday!

Photos here:  http://picasaweb.google.com.au/bjjktg/August2010#

Oh, and we saw/listened to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Opera House, which was actually excellent.

I'm doing well - have started the Arimidex, which are hormone suppressing pills I'll be taking for the next 5 years.  No major side effects so far, apart from feeling pretty tired, but that could be a combination of all sorts of things, not the least of which is all the gallivanting I'm doing! 

[Roger Kettle]

Thanks for the update, Joan. Glad to hear you've been having a ball!

[The Peepmaster]

Yes, I've been enjoying your photos on Facebook, Joan. Sorry, if I didn't I leave comments... I particularly liked the harbour cruise ones. Reminded me of when we did the HK harbour cruise just a few weeks back.

Have you shown them to the Dalai Lama? Apparently, he's a "local business". I'm hoping he'll come round and fix my tap. http://www.facebook.com/DalaiLama

Great also that your health news continues to be positive.

[Joan]

  I just liked him, Peeps - maybe he'll come and fix our chimney - it's leaking and needs to be cleaned/bagged/painted on the outside, but it's so blinking high we'll have to pay a motza to get someone in to do it.

Don't expect you to comment - I'm finding it harder to keep up with everybody's posts now anyway, just seeing them is a feat.  The harbour cruise is actually just the Manly ferry - best and cheapest way to see the harbour.

Off in to the Rocks markets today.  They're nice markets at the Rocks in the city.  The Rocks is a historical area of warehouses, bonds and old buildings.

[Bilthehut]

Lovely to hear you're still doing so well, Joan.  Keep up the great spirits.

By the way, what's "motza" ?

[Joan]

When you asked, Bill, I suddenly wondered if I'd used "motza" in the right context - it just sort of came out.  It appears I almost did, though, definition here:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=motza

[Bilthehut]

Thank you, Joan.  I is now edducatedddddd - but probably will never use the term.

[The Peepmaster]

Thank you, Joan.  I is now edducatedddddd - but probably will never use the term.

What term?

[Bilthehut]

"Peeps cannot be bothered to look at earlier posts"

[The Peepmaster]

Damn. It didn't work.

[Joan]

Just updating my diary ... had a big milestone last Friday - the anniversary date of my diagnosis.  Been quite a year, to say the least. Had a couple of champagnes or three and got decidedly tipsy and emotional.  I think the small Baileys I had may have just tipped me over the edge - can't hack it any more.  Did not feel too great on Saturday morning. 

Not quite finished yet - have my first annual check up mammogram and ultrasound next week, then go to see the surgeon the following week for the results and a review.  Still got 3 more Herceptins to go. I should finish towards the end of January. Then I'm going to have another little op (not serious, just a bit of a tidy up).  As my sister says, I'm going to feel a bit neglected when it's all finished and I don't have to go near a hospital or doctor's surgery for some time.  That's the plan anyway. 

I'm feeling pretty good anyway. A friend was over from NZ week before last and on the Wednesday I took her on a tour of the Northern Beaches (think I should start doing this professionally).  Then on Friday we met up in the city with some mutual friends for lunch which was another very enjoyable.  It must be the invasion of the kiwis because we've got another couple coming over from Wellington to stay on Friday for a couple of days.  At least it's making us move on all the jobs that need done to the house which have been neglected over the last year or so. I've calmed down on the photo taking, but did manage to get the Italian waiter at Rossini's at Circular Quay to take one of the four of us.  There's Charlie Chaplin in the background doing his thing.

http://picasaweb.google.com/bjjktg/FamilyAndFriends#5530774189135520898

Just off to Jill's to have my hair trimmed so that it looks neat and tidy when I go out without my wig on.  Bit straggly and fluffy at the moment, but it's definitely coming back - phew!

[Diane CBPFC]

Joan - it has been quite the year.

Glad you got through it with such grace and laughter. 

[Diamond Lil]

Don't feel neglected in the quieter times around the corner...fill them with all the things you want to 

[Roger Kettle]

Champagne and Bailey's? Good grief.
Keep the good news coming, Joan!