Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
-
Karin...I was thinking the same thing about Blackjacks boat...that's funny....
Ginny
0 -
Afternoon everyone,
Deena--I would like to welcome you also. This is a good site and great group of ladies, it has helped me a lot so far.
Tomorrow (wed) is my 4th and last tx of AC. Dreading it but it will be my half way point. Then 4 tx of Taxotere. Will be getting another CT and PET scan done after wed tx. Keeping fingers crossed for even a little good news.
Will check back in again soon. Take care, hugs to all.
0 -
Becky IL Sending you tons of good vibes And a boring CT & PET results!!!0
-
Hi Everyone- So glad to hear the update on JulieR. Praying for good results.
Welcome JulieB. Sorry you had to join us but this is a wonderful group.
Well it looks like I need to change my profile. Back in 2006,I was originally told that I was ER-PR- based on my orig. biop results. Well I questioned my onc recently: where are the Horm Rec results from my mast? They did not exist. He had the block pulled (from 12/06) and retested. Looks like I'm ER+ and will start taking tamoxifen. Can you believe it? I thought I was done w/ tx.
Can anyone give me their experiences on tamoxifen good or bad? Thanks.
0 -
Ginny-I had a mast w/ immediate latissimus flap recon. They put in a tissue expander at that time. I had chemo and radiation. I never had the expander expanded because I'm small and the size was fine. My skin did well with the radiation. A couple of months ago I had the expander removed and a silicone implant put in.
I'm not sure how the skin will do expanding after radiation. I know that's different than what I had.
Continue to research your options and get info from those who have had it done and with your doctors input you'll make the right decision for you. Best of luck
0 -
Wow - Michele - I remember us talking at Maggiano's about your ER status. Just goes to show how you really have to be your own advocate.
I am on Tamoxifen - since November. No side effects to speak of other than the hot flashes and seemingly permanent menopause (no period since starting chemo in April 07. Don't ask Blackjack about Tamoxifen though as she will hand you a hammer.
Congrats, Becky on your last AC. It is a milestone to reach that halfway mark.
0 -
Connie-I remember something about Blackjack smashing her pills - was it the tamoxifen? Is that the one someone said you are suppose to use gloves to handle?
Blackjack-are you now taking Tamoxifen or did you decide against it?
0 -
Good Morning Girls,
What I day I had..yesterday I got contacts to try..now I am blind as a bat and can't get those things out. Ouch. Sat around with ice on my eyes last noc to reduce the swelling. This am my tooth cracked... after I was at the dentist yesterday for a cleaning. They told me my teeth were fine. I think they lied to me. lol So now I have to call this am to get in again. Oh I hate the dentist.
Mich101..To answer your question about tamoxifen..yes, I had a bottle of them sitting on my counter and every time I looked at them I went into a panic mode. One day I took out a pill cutter and cut them all up and cried as I did it. No I decided not to take them. I am Er+ and in menopause and only have one ovary..so I decide to decrease my estrogen my exercise and diet.
So far so good for me. I don't know about about the glove thing only that you are to wash your hands when handling them.
Connir..How was your weekend. Did you have fun on the water..I know I did. I boated all weekend and got really sun burn..my fault. but my tan looks good now. lol
Rita..glad to see that you had a great time with your grand kids.. that's what it is all about. Are you golfing today. I have my next lesson this weekend..maybe I will try to keep the club in my hands. lol
Laura...are you feeling better...I hope so..try to get out and race and I love your licence plate..you go girl
Wendy..glad to see that you are being a good girl and going to PT. We do need our backs...remember to do your exercises. How is your sil doing..still in the hospital.
Becky..sending you healing hugs as you get your last tx.
Jackie..how are you doing..almost done with rads..I hope you are not turning to red..aquaphor cream worked really well for me..I still use today and I am one year out from rads. My boob looks really good with a few scars on it..but good lol
Smerf..were are you..I miss you..hope all is well with you. Are you done with remodeling yet.
To all the new one's welcome to our group. To everyone else I missed I hope you all have a great day.
Gotta run... off to work.. Will ck back later..maybe with a new tooth in place.
Remember to be healthy..be happy everyone.
Blackjack
0 -
Hi there!!!! Beautiful day so far....JulieB...welcome! So very sorry that you have to go thru this....again. That is so not fair! Rita will jump in soon to say "hi" and she did CMF too.
Blackjack....oh boy! Never ends, does it? What type of contacts did you get that you can't get them out? I wear accuvue (the kind you can sleep in) and have never had a problem...I've been wearing them for over 15 years!
Connie...those airfares are nuts, aren't they? Would love to go down to Fl at the holiday season so DH could spend the time with his family but we've always been priced out. And truthfully since we have to fly into Orlando...just too busy!
Mich101....good thing you checked re: your er/pr status! I'm on arimidex so can't help you...but having been on it for 11 months now, not bad at all!
Becky...one more AC!!!! Yay!!!!! Hopefully taxotere will be much easier on you....seems like most of the girls agree that it is. I did taxotere with carboplatin and except for some tingling in my toes and a couple of fingertips....and some weird tastes....not too bad overall. Also seconding Karin....wishing very boring scan results!
Need to get started earlier today...so everyone...have a wonderful day! JulieR...hopefully you will be resting in your own bed tonight, with lots of pain meds true...but your own bed! And no nurse coming in at 3am to wake you up to ask you how you are feeling!!!!!!
Hey Rita....I think it's a tops down day!
0 -
Mich - when I was in the hospital for my reconstruction the nurse gave me my tamox with gloves on . I was kind of surprised and then I read my bottle at home and it says to wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Blackjack - what a day is right. I wear Accuvue also but not the kind you sleep in. Sorry about the tooth.
Hope everyone else is doing well!
0 -
Just got this in my e-mail.....hope it gives you all a bit of a laugh for today, no matter where you are in treatment. Men will be......boys, won't they! Hint...watch the guy on the Left....
0 -
The port is gone, but not without difficulties. It was down fairly deep, so there was some tissue around it and I did a little more bleeding than he would have liked. I am pretty sore and feel some burning sensation. I have dissolvable stitches, skin glue, steri strips and a pressure bandage. I know the bandages are causing some discomfort because of the way they pull the skin. I can take them off tomorrow and the steri strips on Saturday.
The procedures was a breeze, I only had pain when they numbed the skin and then felt tugging. I couldn't believe how long the catheter was. I am surprised at how sore I am and the burning sensation. I am taking it easy for a few days, no need to push myself. lol
Thanks.
Nancy
0 -
Hi girls! Hope your day is off to a good start.
Becky - best wishes with your scans...Hope they're spotless...fingers and toes are crossed for you.
JulieB - Wow...another Julie! Sorry about your dx...good thing you caught it while it's still small and non-invasive. I wish you the very best with your treatment.
MICHELE - One bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch! I have been on Tamoxifen since Feb. of 2006 - at first, I had lots of hot flashes...but gradually they have subsided considerably. You should consider yourself VERY LUCKY that it's available for you. Many neg girls would give their right arm to be able to take something long term - after chemo, etc. Everyone reacts differently, but from what I have read here...MOST girls are doing fine with it. Mind over matter...think of it as a safety net. We might be up at the track tonight...PM me if you want more info...if you would like to head up there.
Nancy - I hated my port! It's great you were able to have it removed...I too had lots of burning and pain. It lasted about a week. Best wishes.
blackjack - Man oh man...you DID have the day from hell! Hope today's a better one! We might be going racing tonight! Yeah...
Leesa, - How are you girl? Have you gotten a new computer yet?
0 -
Wendrew - OMG OMG LOL - Too frickin funny! He's definately a dickie-do! LOL LOL LOL
0 -
Welcome, Julie B. We are sorry you need to be here, but we're a great group! I had CMF (albeit 14 years ago) and it didn't make me sick, so maybe you won't be sick either. I had thinning hair, but didn't lose it. Good luck to you!
Any more news on JulieR?
My Granddaughter and I had a nice visit with my Mom yesterday. She is getting frailer and becoming more forgetful, but every so often we see a spark of the old Mom in her! Took her to lunch, visited my Dad's grave and were home in time to pick up our dog from the vet. He was shaved, vaccinated and had a growth removed from his eye. He looks about 20 pounds lighter with all his shaggy hair gone. Almost time to put in his eye drops and give him his antibiotic. The vet told us to keep him fairly quiet for 4 to 5 days. I don't think she understands that this is an outdoor, farm dog. No way to keep him from running around the place unless we tied him and he hates that.
Jackie, hope your week is going well. Santa brought me a Dyson for Christmas last year. I like being able to empty it without struggling with a bag. My DH scoffs at the all plastic parts, but I think it works great! Are you still reading? I borrowed Step On A Crack by James Patterson from a friend. It is really a page-turner!
Nanc512 - glad the port is gone. Take it easy while it's still sore.
Everyone else, have a great day! I'm on my way to Daughter #3's to turn their air down. They will get back from the Ozarks this afternoon. Also, finally heard from Daughter #5 in Thailand. Hadn't gotten an email or a phone call for 5 days and we were getting a little concerned. She's in a pretty remote area and hasn't been able to find either an international phone or the internet. Tomorrow she flies to New Zealand.
MaryJane
0 -
Good Morning:
I think the nurse wore gloves because women who could be pregant should not touch it. I warned my daughters never to pick up a pill (I could be absent minded enough to leave a random one on the counter) as it can enter the blood through the skin and could cause birth defects or miscarriage. It seems strange that one could do that but a nurse handles many.
Welcome to all the young ladies who are facing perhaps the challenge of their lifetime. We all hate this disease and we all wish for a cure SOON. I look at some of you with young children and it makes me so sad. You will make it through; it is just that you need to get through so much to get there.....back to health and the confidence good health gives to us.
My back is being mean to me. I have the cervical neck disk and the arm is going all pins and needle. I went to the neurosurgeon three years aho and he did conservative treatment with success. Now it is more trouble than ever. Pray that conservative will work again. I really do not want surgery as it is so close to the brain stem. yes, it is always something and I considered myself a very healthy person.
Mary Jane, is your daughter visiting Thailand or is this work-related? How very cool, either way. I have a number of students from Thailand and they are wonderful people. My nephew is married to a Malay woman and they live in Malaysia with two kids. They would love to get a visa to come here but it is hard to do that now.
Wendy, I love that fat man video. I played it a few times...so funny. How is your damn back? My kids grew up with me having the disk issues and called it the "damn back" rather than the "back" as they thought from listening to me that was what it was called. "Mommy can't some to the phone because of her damn back." Oh what we do to our children unwittingly.
Have a great day!
Susan
0 -
Hi Elleng Haven't heard from you in a LONG time!! Are you still doing chemo? Were you able to take your vacation in Mexico over spring break?
Wendy I'm still waiting to find out what a "nerve floss" ( or was it spine floss) is! Sure brings up weird images in my mind!!! LOL
Lauragto, It's your fault!! The pic of your lic plate made me start thinking "How many states offer a "cause" plate?" They don't here in Oregon. But I've contacted DMV and Susan G Komen, so we might have some soon!!
Susan is your back problem caused by a disk? Think we should take a survey as to how many of us have back problems!! Maybe BC causes back probs, or the other way around!! LOL
Blackjack Hope today is a better day!! How long have you been wearing contacts? Teenager across the street decided that the over night kind could be kept in for days......make that almost 2 years!! Dr had to remove them not sure if she can have them again. ( not if it was my kid!!)
Nanc Glad you got the port gone! I didn't have 1 but sounded kinda like the drain when they removed it...I was surprised how long it was!
Maryjane sounds like your family keeps you busy...
Anything new from Bustersmom? hope she home resting.
I better get to work
everyone have a great day
0 -
Hi gals....gosh it was another tough day on the golf course. I finally figured out how to hit my new driver and my putting fell apart. Still, a bad day on the golf course is better than a good day at work!
JulieB...so glad you found us. I really think you will be suprised how well the CMF chemo goes. The girls in the Chicago area will take you under their wings. They often meet for lunch or other gatherings and many of us have become very close. (I found Julie on the CMF thread and directed here, gals so she had more actual person to person support. I knew you'd all welcome her with open arms.)
JulieR...hope all is going as well as possible for you. Many, many thoughts and hugs are pouring your way!
Oh Wendy....how I love the dicky do animation. I swear the dicky-do guy looks just like most ot the men I used to attract! LOL
Nancy...glad the port is out and you're working on mending!
Michele.., so you've joined the ranks of the Tamoxifin gang, eh? How strange! I bet you'll do just fine on it.
Wendy...my feet are bothering me again....especially the left one. How much magnesium can we safely take? I think I need to up my dosage. I put ice on it last night and that seemed to help some. You asked about Wendy the Younger. She had her second AC chemo on Monday. She got along well on Monday. I called last night to check on her and she was asleep and I called this afternoon and she was sleeping so I don't really know how she's doing this time around. She had terrible pain (headaches) this past weekend as her hair started to release). I'll try checking on her later tonight.
MaryJane...glad to hear that you finally heard from the youngest daughter. I bet you were getting a tad nervous.
Jackie...hope this week of rads is speeding right along for you. How's that skin doing? Are you avoiding this issue? You never seem to answer me so I hope you're not sitting there suffering and not letting us help you through as you did with some of the chemo issues. We are here for you.
And speaking about Wendy the Younger, she just called me back. She's been doing pretty well this round but slept most of the day. She has a mohawk haircut now and I told her she needed to post a picture of it.
Hi to everyone else............I'll be back later.
Rita
0 -
Wendy Your picture is hillarious, and Laura's comment made me laugh too - dickie-do. I remember that one from Rita. Why do I remember that but can;t seem to remember anything else???? Funny how that works!
0 -
Checking in on our lovely Illinois Ladies-
JulieB- Big Hugs to you. I'm sorry you have to fight this battle, but glad you found us. I live in Lake Zurich, so you are really close. If you ever want to get together for coffee, just let me know! Yes, we do try and get together as much as we can. I hope you can come to our next meeting.
Speaking of which, are we getting together this month?? How about a lunch or dinner next week?? I can do a late lunch (12:30) any day but Thursday, or I can do dinner almost any night. What if we went to Olive Garden or something like that for dinner? (I'm going to admit it- I love Maggiano's for lunch, but that family style dinner was too much food! )
I tried to call and find out how JulieR was doing, but had to leave a message. Hoping everything is okay.
Sending healing chemo vibes to Wendy TY, Becci, Leesa, and any one else out there going through the chemo curse!
Rita- My feet have been burning lately too! I'm sure it's a remnant of the Taxol and the hot summer heat.
Nancy, glad to hear that the port removal was no biggie. Hope you heal fast. If I'm lucky, I'll have my power port taken out in Oct. That will be 2 years and my chance of recurrence will drop quite a bit, that's when my doctor feels it's time for it to come out.
Wondering how Pat is doing. Maybe I'll give her a call too. Have to find out if she out from under the remodeling yet. Things are moving along with my re-modeling, still all planning, but getting closer. We have gotten the okay to take down a 200 year old white oak (we have several more and this one is in an awkward area of the yard that is never used anyway, so we are cutting it down to make more room for the kitchen). I'm in the process of sorting through and boxing up extra stuff from the kitchen. Plus we had to move my entire office in the living room so that my husband could rip out the office ceiling and work from underneath on the bathroom pipes. All this along with working 2 jobs- geez...
Oh, and I bruised my tail bone falling off a couch while breaking into my own house! Yikes, why do these things always happen to me? On the fourth of July, we were going to walk down to the lake with the dog and my husband locked and shut the door without having his keys in his pocket. And I was not carrying a purse, so I didn't have mine! Of course, no one is home of the people who have our extra sets of keys. So eventually my husband manages to pry off a screen, get the window open and boosts me up. I manage to hoist myself over the sill and drop onto the cushions of the couch. Just as I'm thinking "Thank God this couch is here", the cushions shift, I over balance and roll off the couch hard onto the floor. Smack on my a$$ and it hurt! I have a nice big bruise and, dang it, even days later it still hurts!!
Off to call Pat, I think..
0 -
Hi everyone, well Rita caught me. I am a bit on the red side ( not seriously so yet ) but asked the nurse if there was anything else better than the Aloe Vera Jel. Said yes, but V.A. would not approve the cream at $50.00 a tube. So, I will go to Wal-Mart when I get home and try some of Blackjacks Aqua-for cream. She seems to swear by it. Figure something new could just shock me into a good result with it.
Jan Clare---remarkable that you still have your port in as I had no idea. I do recall my friend who passed on had her port for a long, long time and I always had the thought of how cumbersome for her...........now I'm thinking how cumbersome for anyone, but probably better than having to put another in later. I don't know much since I never had one. Lots of the people I did chemo with ( all men ) had them but I was never offered the choice. Don't know why but being it was V.A. I figured it might have been a time thing. I only had 8 txs total---maybe you had to have 12 or more to qualify. Who knows.
I liked Wendy's 'dickie' picture too. Hate to admit it but from time to time I've 'discovered' that I was doing similar things myself and wondering why afterward. Same reason I guess why I use to try and trace the handwriting of anyone who had pretty writing. Did I really think that was going to do something for mine????? Oh well what do they say about sincere flattery........I've flattered a lot of people in my day.......Interesting to find out that once in awhile they flattered me back. Funny what you are that others see and you don't!!!!!!!!!
I'm getting some reading done about a beachcomber Blackjack. It get gets just a little steamy here and there doesn't it???? Good book though.
We sure do lots of Julie's now don't we???? Welcome, welcome Julie.
Hope all the rest are doing fine....Julie R and Jule....how are you??? Becky, hope you are getting through...did I hear it was your last A/C. I remember mine---don't think I could have managed anymore. Being cumulative like they are and the se's hanging around a little longer each time. I think I still had a slight amt. when I started the Taxotere. Leesa, hope you are able to get computer going soon.
Well, I've had my bread and oil and need to go have some dinner. Hope you all have a great night and a splendid Thursday. I will try not to be so quiet from now on.
Til' tomorrow.
Jackie
0 -
Mary Jane:
I just read your mom lives in Quincy, so do I! Mazy is here too, I haven't talked to her in ages, need to catch her in chat, but I can't type much with this darn cast. lol
Nancy
0 -
MaryJane - You sure have some interesting and creative kids! It's wonderful being able to be worldly! Best wishes to your mom...it's great that she still has that spark once in a while. It's wonderful being able to be worldly! Hope your dog is better soon.
Rita - Thanks for the update on WendyTY...so nice to know that she has you in her life...glad to read you had nice time with the little ones...I can imagine how much they love seeing you! I'm sorry your foot is bothering you...have you looked into prosthetic arches? Let me know exactly what your problem is...I learned ALOT with my last foot episode.
WendyTY - Hope you're feeling better each day...it's all to be expected...but there is hope that it won't be awful...I'm wishing you the very best. Mohawk? OMG - PLEASE, PLEASE....photos! We need photos of this...I bet it looks great on you...you have the perfect face for it!
LITTLEC - where the heck are you? Susan - TOO FUNNY...about can't come to the phone! LOL But I truly hope you get some relief SOON...I can understand how you'd be worried about the surgery...have you tried EVERYTHING? I would imagine so...but ya never know!
karin - GREAT JOB! I'm cheering you on...it's a great cause and a great way to get our message of hope noticed. I have gotten MANY thumbs up from people on the road. This disease has touched so many...just the other day, a dude pulled up next to me and smiled and gave me the thumbs up! I "mouthed" the words THANK YOU! It's awesome when people acknowledge my message of hope...
JulieB - I too live close to you...and would also be able to meet for lunch or whatever...just say so...and we can work something out. Jackie - I have some AQUAFOR left...I would be happy to send it to you.
Michele - This was a very last minute trip to the track...we are planning on going next Tuesday...but it's always weather permitting...I will let you know AS soon as I do...when and where...
Leesa - Still thinking about you!
Buster's Mom - Hope you're resting comfortably...you've been through a major surgery...I remember so well...healing thoughts are sent your way!
EVERYONE...H E L L O!
0 -
Stop just to say hi. I'm still in life, and i like my new oncologist from Highland Park. I feel much better. New oncologist stop my chemo, I was on chemo 1 year. He told me I need hormonal treatment, not chemo. Any way this chemo didn't work for me... Now I'm on Tamoxefen and Zometa.
I have 3 classes left from my Medical Assistant Program. I hope in November can be my graduation.
0 -
Hi girls -
Jackie - I also swear by the Aquaphor. I used it on my worst areas and it definitely helped. It felt more like a thick Vaseline than a lotion.
I could probably do a mid-week dinner in the next couple of weeks. I agree that Maggiano's was too much for dinner.
Glad to hear most of the treatment girls are doing well. Sounds like those not in treatment are having a harder time - falling off couches, wearing contacts for 2 years, etc.
Happy Day!
0 -
Morning.....running a bit late today! I have to catch up more when I get home from my 2nd steroid inj.
Rita....I stopped at 500mg of Mag as anymore created too many bowel issues! And a funny thing...I had to stop it a week before my 1st steroid inj (and no, I have no idea why) but I noticed my muscles didn't ache so I haven't restarted it and so far I have been fine since about 6/10 or so. Maybe I outgrew the se!
Susan....have you decided what to do about your neck? I see lots of people at PT, having their cervical spines worked on...they seem to be getting better over the last few weeks that I have been going.
JanClare...Ooops! Sorry about your butt! Hope you didn't crack something.....and Ileave for vacay next Thurs and have PT MTW, so I'm out for a get-together.
Gotta get my exercises in before my shower....have a great day everybody!
0 -
Wow:
Lots of posts. Wendy and Laura, I haven't tried everything and I am probably thinking the worse case scenario with surgery. I go to the doctor today and we go through the whole MRI scene again. I am losing strength in my arm. I had pt three years ago and it did work....it was pain then and not loss of feeling. So maybe they wil t.ry that again. Very weird having pins and needles in my arm...it is the "bad" arm too with BC. This is not LE. That I know.
Sorry to dwell on me. Thanks for the word on Wendy the Mohawk. Rita, so glad you are on the golfcourse and having so much fun. Jackie, I hear you on the skin. How much further do you have to go? My insurance would not pay for the stuff either (began with a b). I bought it out of pocket and it didn't do squat, so move on without anger.
JanClare....that hurts. Irena, so glad yo like your doctor. He is a good man. It sounds like you are feeling okay if you are finishing up school.
Laura, if you go to the track let me know. I have never been.
I will catch up with you all later.
Susan
0 -
Oh, Rita!
Look what is coming to my library (Northbrook):
Spoon River Anthology
Join us for a theatrical adaptation of Edgar Lee Masters' classic Spoon River Anthology. Initially adapted and directed by English teachers Paul Swanson and Mark Larson as a faculty production for the Highland Park High School Focus on the Arts Festival, Spoon River now has an expanded cast of actors and musicians.Sunday, August 17, 2:00 pm, Auditorium
I am so excited!
Paul and I went to to the real cemetary and read the poems aloud. What weird geeks we are!
Susan
0 -
Good afternoon amy dear sisters,
I am back on line wow what a wierd week or so, I finished chemo, geting ready to start the dreaded rads. Phew almost done with this stupid beast. I'm so sorry for the people who are just starting this journey. I haven't been able to check back on all the posts, but I will later this evening.
The last chemo was yucky, so was the whole week, but it's over now. I love you all and will get back asap
0 -
Afternoon all.
Didn't write anything this a.m. as someone ( business looking type ) was waiting for the computer so I just read the posts and got up. Susan--thanks for the info about the cream ( I think the nurse said Biafine or something like that ). So, I won't get mad now. Had they said something sooner I could have budgeted for things--but can't at the last minute.
Julie I sure appreciate your offer of your left over cream, but tomorrow I'll be able to get to Wal-Marts and get some and figure the sooner the better for my skin. I'm sure it will all be fine.
Good to hear again from you Leesa. I had just asked about you. Glad you got all your chemo done. It is yucky and as I recall yours was going down sort of hard each time. Finally ( The End ). Hopefully the rads won't be bad for you. I was a little anxious but you don't usually feel much---I only had discomfort due to holding my left ( weak stroke side ) arm above my head and nothing else. I'm getting to where now that I'm getting close to done even that is not hurting now much.
I too feel for all just starting txs. That is why I'm glad they are coming here. Lots of help, hugs, understanding and a great place to vent or cry or whatever is needed.
Well, I'll check back in later and see if we have a Wendy steroid update. Good to hear from you too Irina. Great news about your new Oncologist. Sounds like you could have used him some time back but you have him now and that sounds like it was very important. Hope you do well on your new meds.
Jackie
0
