Illinois ladies facing bc
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I will pray for your friend, Redheaded1.
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Thanks Rita.
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"Why?" is the most useless question in the universe.
The only question with any meaning is "What?"
Asking "Why is this happening?" can only disempower you.
Asking "What do I want to make of this?" does exactly the opposite.
- Neale Donald Walsch0 -
Lago-4 years NED-whoo hoo! A great accomplishment for sure
Redheaded1- I also have read of Joan's struggle...she sure has been through the wringer and I will keep her in my thoughts as well.
Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday weekend.
I'm sorry ladies, but I feel the need to vent big time. I am so frustrated and angry at this flipping cancer! I keep reading we will get to our "new normal' and accept it, well frankly if this is my new normal, you can keep it! Although I haven't lost a breast, I lost my lymph nodes and will always have the threat of lymphedema hanging over my head, I have lost my peace of mind, will always worry when it is coming back, notice I didn't say "if"...I just can't imagine with Stage 3, grade 3 that it won't return at some point. The damn chemo destroyed part of my femur so now I am in constant pain and need a hip replacement. Really don't want anymore needles/IVs stuck in my or parts cut out! Walking into work this morning I had tears running down my face from pain, think I scared the other lady in the elevator
. This weekend I started getting horrible muscle spasms/nerve pains in my back and legs from walking so crookedly and overcompensating.....grrrrrrr! The surgeon is positive all this pain is from my hip, so hopefully it will resolve here shortly, but in the meantime I feel and look like an 80 year old, between the gray chemo curls and my cane or the electric cart at the grocery store....Oh yeah and now the aromasin has fully kicked in and my hands and arms ache and fingers are triggering! This is just so hard and my DH & DD try to understand, they just don't get it, I cry everyday now mostly from pain and then from anger, not a good way to be, but that is how it is right now. Maybe I should take up drinking LOLThanks for listening ladies, it is good to know I have a place to let it all out and not feel judged.
Enjoy the short week, no pain and peaceful days!
Mimi
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(((Mimi))) vent away. We understand. And I hope you're wrong and you WILL be well!!!
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Mimi, this really is the place to let it all out. All that aside, the new normal can be fairly agreeable but you have so much extra going on. Maybe you could check with your oncologist and if you really feel it is too much try one of the other AL's.
I think too, maybe you need a little anti-depressant for a short while till you get through some of the tougher parts of things, like the hip replacement. You may be on one.....I don't have a great memory, but is a thought.
Hopefully, once you do have your hip restored and working well, you will find it somewhat easier to cope. Till then, come here wherever you need too and just get it all out.
Blessings
Jackie
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Thanks Jackie! I'm sure it will get better in time, now it is just getting to me. I am on Effexor for my migraine associated vertigo-another long story I won't bore you all with ha ha! At least it helps with the hot flashes some....I have already switched from Femara to the Aromasin, and this one is better than the Femara, but still makes me feel like an old lady-oh maybe I am one
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Mimi...I sent you a personal message! Hang in there!
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Mimi We're here and we're OK with your venting. It's normal and OK to be pissed off at times.
I will say this. A gal on bc.org who is triple positive like me was stage III grade 3. She too assumed it would come back… and like me she is still NED (that's 4 years). We also have a few IL lades that are stage III and not HER2+ that are doing fine as well but don't post much anymore.
As far as LE there are things you can do to prevent. I have some LE in one arm (10 nodes) but my other (4 nodes) is at risk. I knew I would get it because my mom had it in her legs as did her uncle. There are some folks that had way more nodes than me and never got it. Here's a linky that might help you with some prevention.
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Lago-that is great to hear! I know I'm just going through a phase right now, but it is nice to have a place here that I can let it out and not worry about hurting any feelings.
Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!
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The wildflowers provoke me to remember the steadiness of return, year after year. They tell me that one does not need to be cultivated to be beautiful. They tell me that the soul remembers its essence, if it is given room to grow. . . . These gentle flowers remind me that we surrender to no one finally but to our own soul, to the essence of ourselves, which is hidden in God. Sweet and wild is the experience of surrender. There is nothing more intimate.
Gunilla Norris0 -
Damn MIMI---if you weren't on the anti-depressants I was going to suggest us Bloomington gals all go out some night to .....see the moon shine, if you get my drift.... Maybe the four of us should try to get Migas on a conference call to see about getting our Weed cards////
..
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Hi ladies!!!
Port is out!!! I'm a little sore tonight, but nothing some Motrin can't handle. I plan to go back to work in the morning. Exchange is scheduled for Oct 21. Woo hoo!!! Plan is 23 hour observation due to no narcotics, but will get Experal again. I will also likely have drains again...due to my incredible ability to produce fluid and history of staph.
Yes, I was a PITA today at the surgicenter...no narcotics no gas, all the meds they can come up with for nausea!!! 4 sticks later, IV was in place and a large bruise to go with it!!!
Mimi...so sorry to hear about your challenges. From what I've heard about hip replacement, it is the easiest to recover from...my dad needs one too as soon as harvest is over. Hang in there!!!
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Don't post much, but came across this and thought I would share with everyone, for those that may not be able to make the trip to see Vinnie, there is a guy here in Chicago doing the 3D tattoos
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/26442758/tattoo-artist-uses-talent-to-help-breast-cancer-patients0 -
Lakegirl-yeah the port is out and exchange scheduled! You are definitely making progress. Just don't overdo it today, take care of yourself.
Redhead-too funny...I haven't enjoyed the adult beverage in quite a few years...guess I lost the taste for it. But your suggestion for Migas-hmmmmm worth thinking about
.Hope everyone enjoys their day, tomorrow is Friday already. I love these short weeks, too bad we don't have them more often!
Wishing you all a pain free, peaceful day!
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People spend their lives in anticipation, in determining to be vastly happy at some period when they have time. But the present time has one advantage over every other—it is our own. . . . We may lay in a stock of pleasures, as we would lay in a stock of wine; but if we defer the tasting of them too long, we shall find that both are soured by age.
Charles Caleb Colton0 -
Lakegirl---what great news---hope everything is smooth sailing from here on out.
cateyz-that video is amazing. when you think about how they did mastectomy in the 1960's and where we are at today----jeez, the change is just incredible.
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Jeff did my tattoos and they are so realistic...all the doctors comment on how great they look and a few have asked if I had nipple sparing surgery and are surprised they're "man made"
. I had the nipple recon followed by the tattoos and as the scars fade you'd never know I has anything done. Yay for progress!0 -
This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good, but what I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it! When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, and not loss; good, and not evil; success, and not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price I have paid for it.
unattributed0 -
The beauty does not
live out there; the beauty's in my eyes.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie0 -
Only on the surface of things have I ever trod the beaten path. So long as I could keep from hurting anyone else, I have lived, as completely as it was possible, the life of my choice. I have been free. . . . I have done the work I wished to do for the sake of that work alone.
Ellen Glasgow0 -
Saturday, September 27th is Rush Cancer Survivor's Day. I got an invite that says I can bring 2 other people. Anyone who was treated at Rush and would like to send me a PM.
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Super news Lakegirl! Yea! It won't be long now!
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When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe,
to think, to enjoy, to love.
- Marcus Aurelius0 -
Your struggles are your strength. If you resist becoming negative, bitter, or hopeless, they will give you everything. - Bryan McGill.
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I needed that quote today. Thanks!
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Hi All! Just checking in.Jeff also did my tattoos.....I am also asked by my docs if I had nipple sparing. They are always shocked when I say I did not. He was very kind and made me feel very comfortable. I recommend him for sure.
Hard to believe fall is here! Kids are back in school (yay!) and life is busy. I am sorry Mimi for your struggle. It is hard to find that new normal and we all have moments and times where the worry and anxiety gets the best of us. It is hard to have your peace of mind challenged like this. Feel free to vent....we all "get it" and are here for you.
Lakegirl....glad you go the port out. Must feel good to have it gone! Another milestone checked off!
Congrats Lago on 4 years....I will be right behind you in a few months.
Life is good here.....celebrating my 10 year wedding anniversary tomorrow. I got tickets for my DH and I to see Andrea Bocelli in December for his gift. Can't wait to see his face! Anyone else going to the concert??
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Nice to hear from you Maria. Glad all is going so well.
I'm thinking of having my nipple reconstruction tattooing touched up a bit making it more 3D. My PS did a great job matching the color of my other nipple, but it needs a little tweaking after a year. My initial surgery put a major dent when removing the nipple and areola. I didn't want to add fat or more stitches to the place I was most likely to recur. I had radiation and, even though I had 14 days of sulfa drugs after reconstructive surgery, I still had a lingering infection later. So I'm hesitant, but having someone so skilled at 3D in Chicago may push me to do it. Maybe the best thing is to line up the appointment with my next UTI and next round of sulfa drugs to combat it. Ha, ha! Seems like they are becoming a regular occurance now.
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The key to happiness is inner peace.
The greatest obstacles to inner peace are disturbing emotions
such as anger, attachment, fear and suspicion,
while love and compassion and a sense of universal responsibility
are the sources of peace and happiness.
- Dalai Lama0 -
Thanks Maria, I will be fine, just having some issues now...it seems like the chemo brain is in full gear anymore...good thing I know how to cover my big butt at work ha ha!
Loved sleeping last night with the windows open listening to the rain...too bad had to get up for work, I could have laid there for a long time.
Hoping everyone a peaceful, pain free day and no flood issues anywhere.
Thanks ladies, you are the best!
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