Illinois ladies facing bc

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  • Redheaded1
    Redheaded1 Member Posts: 1,455
    edited April 2015

    Vanmama---what did you find out after your scary first chemo?  Hope you are doing ok!

  • vanmama
    vanmama Member Posts: 74
    edited April 2015

    Redheaded1, he said he hasn't seen too many reactions like that! We had a pretty long discussion and decided to try CMF. He says it's much less toxic and thinks I shouldn't have trouble with it. I have a heart issue so he wouldn't consider the ones that could cause heart issues.

    If this causes a problem, we'll stop chemo and just start Femara. Since there is no known cancer, we're just chasing a possible issue, so we'll just move on. He offered to set me up somewhere for a 2nd opinion, but I declined. I trust his decision which his colleagues would have had to agree with.

    So...Thursday morning at 9:30'ish we'll try again!

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,794
    edited April 2015
    You cannot prevent the birds
    of sorrow from flying over your
    head, but you can prevent
    them from building nests
    in your hair.

    Chinese saying
  • Redheaded1
    Redheaded1 Member Posts: 1,455
    edited April 2015


    Vanmama, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.  I think he likes to send people to Chicago for 2nd opnions.  There are some really good doctors there as well.  I just really do like him, too.  He listens, which is a rare trait these days. 

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,794
    edited April 2015

    A bag of apples, a pot of homemade jam, a scribbled note, a bunch of golden flowers, a coloured pebble, a box of seedlings, an empty scent bottle for the children. . . . Who needs diamonds and van-delivered bouquets?  -Pam Brown

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,794
    edited April 2015

    ((((((( Vanmama ))))))))

    Blessings

    Jackie

  • vanmama
    vanmama Member Posts: 74
    edited April 2015

    Thanks, Jackie. Just started my infusion and have the same nurse as last time so that gives me some comfort. She has assured me I will be just fine!

  • MimiL55
    MimiL55 Member Posts: 84
    edited April 2015

    Vanmanna, hope your infusion went without incident yesterday. It was good to have the same nurse who knew your issue last time. Take care of yourself this weekend and rest up.

    I will be seeing the neurosurgeon on Monday to see what if anything, he can suggest for my back/leg pain. Fingers crossed there is something relatively simple. I have started riding a bike again, haven't ridden in probably 10 years and it does come back to you but I am pretty shaky on it. I bought myself a new one where I can put my feet flat on the ground when stopped-feels much more secure that way...at least it is some exercise for me.

    Wishing everyone a painfree, peaceful weekend, looks like it will be a pretty one here in central IL...so nice to see all the green now.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,794
    edited April 2015

    You are a child of the universe, “fearfully and wonderfully made.” In the history
     of creation, there has never been anyone like you.  Accept this reality about
     yourself— that you are a special, unique human being who has a place on this
     earth that no one else can fill.  Acknowledge yourself as a glorious expression of
     your loving Creator.  This healthy self-love will form the foundation of a joyful
     and satisfying life.  Then, as you love and accept yourself, your inner light will
     shine outward to bless and heal your fellow human beings.

     Douglas Bloch


  • Redheaded1
    Redheaded1 Member Posts: 1,455
    edited April 2015

    Mimi I hope you have a good session with the neurosurgeon.  I spent about 130.00 getting my old bike rehabbed) tires, etc. and then realized that I have shrunk to where my feet won't touch the ground.   Too cheap to get a new one, no more than I ride it.

    I've started trying to get my walking back up again at White Oak Lake. did one lap yesterday and today.  Goal is to get to three like I was doing at Thanksgiving.  The American Coots, who are migrating are on the lake now.  The ducks and geese are all paired off.  Soon there will be nests and eggs and then......baby geese!

    Van Mama---hope all is good after yesterday.

  • vanmama
    vanmama Member Posts: 74
    edited April 2015

    My infusion went well yesterday. I came home with a worse headache than when I went in, which my nurse had warned me about. I got no real sleep last night ( I have no idea what that was all about!).

    Today when I got up for work I felt like I'd been hit by a bus. Along with the still-present headache, I now have nausea and body aches, just like the flu. I did go into work for 3 1/2 hours then decided I just couldn't continue so I came home. I made the attempt, though!

    I will call this infusion a success. No anaphylactic reactions, never felt ill. Of course, I expect the side effects to start in soon. Can't be helped and I'm prepared for them.

  • MimiL55
    MimiL55 Member Posts: 84
    edited April 2015

    Vanmamma, glad your infusion went well for you. The not sleeping could be from the steroids they give before they start the chemo drugs. I learned after the first one to take the next day off work. I had my treatments on Thursday, then had 3 days to feel better before returning to work. At about the halfway point, I started working 1/2 days I was just too tired to pull off the whole day.

    Redheaded1-Thanks, I would love to have a day without pain, but I am slowly realizing that my old normal self is gone and I will have to adjust to the new me...not an easy thing to do but necessary. I will have a repeat CT scan in a couple of weeks to make sure the bone lesions aren't misbehaving...Enjoy your walking and birdwatching!

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,794
    edited April 2015

    When I was a girl, my temper often got out of bounds.  But one day when I became angry at a friend over some trivial matter, my mother said to me, "Elizabeth, anyone who angers you conquers you."  -Sister Elizabeth Kenny

  • roxyandtaze123
    roxyandtaze123 Member Posts: 12
    edited April 2015

    Hi to all of you Illinois girls!! I'm so new to posting but not new to BCO!! First, I just have one quick question -- at the bottom of your posts, does it say Edit/Delete or does it show that just to the one posting?

    My name is Bev and I was diagnosed in 12/06 with Stage I -- ILC Her-2 - Sept., 2014, diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic to Bones.

    I will definitely post more later -- it's late and just wanted to know the answer to the Edit/Delete thing. Thank you in advance. Oh, I live in the Western Suburbs of Illinois and looking forward to meeting you!



  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 700
    edited April 2015

    Welcome Rozyandtaze123. Sorry you aren't here only for the joy of chatting with us.

    You can only edit and delete your own posts. So this shows up only on individual posters' finished posts. . You can block posts and forums if you wish, but only for yourself


  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,794
    edited April 2015

    Compassion is not religious business, it is human business; it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability; it is essential for human survival.

     the Dalai Lama


  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,794
    edited April 2015

    WELCOME, Roxyandtaze 123 -- Sorry that you have been dealing with this disease.  Glad you found us here though.  The Illinois Ladies are a great group and hope you keep on coming.  Sometimes we can be a bit quiet around here, but there is much caring and lots of information and sharing. 

    Blessings

    Jackie

  • cateyz2
    cateyz2 Member Posts: 253
    edited April 2015

    ladies been checking in and just reading but not posting. I live about 8 miles east of Fairdale and have been busy with the volunteer efforts. Its just been amazing the amount of work and support everyone has shown.

  • cateyz2
    cateyz2 Member Posts: 253
    edited April 2015

    image

    This is my favorite picture of the cleanup efforts

     

    The concrete statue was given to one of the residents by a neighbor when she moved away that had been in the family for years, and was found in the ruble. A volunteer had then carved the cross in the base of this mighty oak tree that was destroyed

  • Redheaded1
    Redheaded1 Member Posts: 1,455
    edited April 2015

    Love the pic!!!!!  Ny Aunt lives near Harrisburg IL and when a tornado went thru there, it knowcked down 3 walls of the church, but the steeple with the cross stayed upright!

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,794
    edited April 2015

    Whatever our individual troubles and challenges may be, it’s important to pause every now and then to appreciate all that we have, on every level.  We need to literally “count our blessings,” give thanks for them, allow ourselves to enjoy them, and relish the experience of prosperity we already have.  -Shakti Gawain

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,794
    edited April 2015

    Instead of comparing our lot with that of those who are more fortunate than we are, we should compare it with the lot of the great majority of our fellow humans.  It then appears that we are among the privileged.  -Helen Keller

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,794
    edited April 2015

    Look closely... See with new eyes... Don't just pass by what is familiar without a thought.  Pay attention and look closely.There is beauty - there is discovery -
    there in a whole new world hiding beneath the face of the familiar.
    - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited April 2015

    Welcome Bev.....Visit us often! This is a great group of gals. I am so sorry that you are having to deal with these issues again. Hugs to you!

    Sorry I haven't been around much. I have been bonding with Frontier since we got home.....trying to get my Internet working. They send out a tech and it appears that he has it fixed and later that day it's back to malfunctioning. You call again and since they have to make a new work ticket it takes another 2 days before anyone can get back out to you, only to have the same thing happen again. There was a pretty knowledgeable tech here yesterday and so far...fingers crossed and knock on wood....it has been working.

    I hope everyone is having a good week. I prefer temps to be a bit warmer and the wind to blow more gently but the grass is green and the sun is shining so I shouldn't be complaining.

    I'm off to a surprise birthday party today fo a friend so if the Internet is still on when I get home, I'll be back later.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited April 2015

    Welcome Roxyandtaze. I'm up in Chicago. Been pretty busy these day. This is a great group so hit us up with questions.


  • zap
    zap Member Posts: 1,850
    edited April 2015

    HI Bev:

    I rarely post as it seems that it has been so long since I went through BC....but your story shows that it can return and should never be dismissed as not possibly a returned villain. I am sorry. I found this group to be not only helpful BUT kind! Really nice ladies who will be here for you. Jackie will supply you with wonderful quotes and her quotes are one of the main reasons I step back into the group on occasion. Rita has a strong sense of history as she began this group with her own needs and Lago offers such wonderful and PRACTICAL answers. I am sure the other ladies who come here (and I do not know them) are just as fun and caring as the "older" posters. I wish you well.

    Rita, good to "see" you. through your post. I hate tech problems! This weather is indeed horrid. I am sure you miss Florida,

    Zap/susan



  • dltnhm
    dltnhm Member Posts: 420
    edited April 2015

    Hi Bev,

    Welcome to the Illinois Ladies and to BCO. I'm so sorry that you have had a distant recurrence and are faced with all that that encompasses.

    The thread has been quiet lately - but this is a strong, supporting community of IL ladies.

    I live in Gurnee.

    Diana

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,794
    edited April 2015

    Hi Bev,

    I do think we ( this thread ) is far quieter than it once was --  but as zap/Susan pointed out -- it is just as viable.  Many of the "beginners" in this thread are WELL past their initial dx and tx. but we found the needed camaraderie a huge comfort and the help and caring in-valuable.  I think for me I truly needed to feel a connection from people who were  ( Illinois)  truly close as at my time of dx. I didn't really know anyone with cancer or even anyone who had ever had it.  It tended to make me feel so very alone.  Much surprise awaited me upon finding so many ( fairly close ) right here in Illinois.   Now the statement is I'm glad when I meet someone who has not been touched by all of this. 

    I'm glad you found us and I hope we will see you again soon. 

    Blessings

    Jackie

     

    P.S.  Wonderful to hear you say Susan that you still check in for the quotes.  I've never, ever questioned whether I should keep doing it.  It was always and still remains such delight.  It nourishes my soul to do it -- no wonder  I don't think of NOT doing it. 

     

  • Redheaded1
    Redheaded1 Member Posts: 1,455
    edited April 2015

    I loved this site because while I had friends who wanted to support me, because they had not "hoed the row" I was hoeing, they really didn't get it.  Here I found people experiencing the same thing, those who were further into the process had wisdom to share and tricks to get over the difficult spots, etc.  And I keep coming back to see if I can help others and to keep learning.  I describe this as Facebook for cancer patients/survivors.  And I always check your quote Jackie--

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,794
    edited April 2015

    Forgiveness is an act of love.  As I forgive, I release negative energy that may manifest as resentment or anger.  I open the way for something positive to happen.  If I feel wronged or annoyed, I release the impulse to judge.  The lines of communication remain open, and understanding flows freely.  Relationships with family, friends and colleagues flourish when I act with compassion and easily forgive.  I relate to others in harmonious ways.  I exercise the same forgiving attitude toward myself.  If I have erred, I learn from it and move on.
     
    unattributed