Illinois ladies facing bc
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It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at
the cellular level I'm really quite busy.thought you all might like a funny one..... Jackie
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Yeah Jackie I am so happy for you.
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"Always remember that the future comes one
day at a time."
-- Dean Acheson0 -
Good Saturday morning everyone. A bit overcast here this a.m. Maybe it will keep it cooler. Might have a rain shower as well. Nothing can dampen my spirits though. I know it will wear off soon but as you can all see.....I'm still on my emotional high of finishing rads. I think much more than that....it's not having to interrupt Sunday while I prepare to go back to Marion and the motel. The motel was not a bad place ( though there wasn't much of anything around it ) but it got extremely tiresome.
I know I should have looked on it as a time ( when else could you ) to pamper myself and to be a TRUE lazy butt if ever you needed or wanted to fulfill that desire but when I COULD actually take advantge w/o guilt I quickly got enough of it and resented having to leave jobs only partly done at home and the everyday keeping up of life going on here at my house. I also can envision moments likely in the not too far distant future when I'm thinking.....why didn't I enjoy and take advantage of that time more. Life just works that way.
Hope you all have a fantastic Saturday. I'll be back soon.
Jackie
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Hey guys....just checking in. We made it to Nashville and went to the Grand Ole Opry Hotel.
It sure is gorgeous. You could spend all day walking through all the gardens and shops.
It's kinda of rainy today but we will still have fun. We are going on a tour of the city and seeing where the country music stars live...You all have a great weekend....
ginny
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Jackie's a RAD GRAD!!!! Hip HIp Hooray!!! I'm glad that you're home, too, Jackie! Now you can get on with your life. Since you're ER+, I'm assuming that the onc will put you on Arimidex, Femara, or Aromasin???? Have they said anything about that yet?
Ginny, glad that you're enjoying your trip. Nashville is a fascinating city. My dad lives a little over an hour south of there so we've seen the sights of the city over the past years. You're just getting started on your trip. Have a ball and let me know when you get home!
Beth, the gal I met at the Cancer Center on Thursday evening, if you are lurking and reading, please hop on and introduce yourself. We'd love to have you join us.
The sun is shining brightly here today and I need to mow so I'd better get moving. Just wanted to stop in and tell you all Hi! Have a wonderful weekend!
Rita
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Good morning everyone... hmm, I posted last night but it's not here (??) I am losing my mind?
YAHOOOO to Jackie!!! So happy for you - HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!
I don't have much to report - a friend is going to take me for a bit of shopping today (my first day "out"), and then later BF's mom & Gammy are coming over for cake, since Brian's b-day is on Monday.
My goal is to find a couple of tops that conceal this drain yet are reasonably fashionable. I realized I have nothing of that order. (Yes, an excuse to go buy clothing... haha)
Expanders are still killing me but the ladies on the Recon board are all telling me to stick it out & that it will get better, so I am going to hang in there. According to BF, I've been swearing a lot lately
I'd say it's because of these durn expanders.Hope everyone has a lovely weekend - the sun is out, which is always nice. Big hugs to everyone.. JulieR
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Good Morning Ladies...
Oh what a hot one it is today..the humidity is very high and my asthma is in full gear today. Oh I hate the humid weather. I do love the sunshine....yeah to Jackie for being a rad grad...now it's time to finally be home and enjoy your home. Beaning away makes us miss what we take for granted like our own bed. Now you are on your way to recover and time to move on to bigger and better things. Congrats to you !!!!
Rita..You are an amazing lady... teacher, writer, golfer and reach to recovery volunteer. You have so much to give that it is no wonder that you started this thread by reaching out to all of us Illinois's gals. Yeah to Rita our queen !!
Laura..how was your party for your niece. Did she cry at the pic's or did you cry too.
Wendy... are you home yet. You must be having to much fun in Florida with those cabana boys...lol
Ginny..having fun on your vacation..Nashville is a fun place to visit. Hope the weather stays good for you.. .lol
To all the Julie's in tx.. I hope you are all doing well.
Leesa.. I hope you are doing better.
Smerf..where are you..on vacation or still hanging with the construction guys lol. I miss you posting. Please ck in soon and let us know how you are.
To everyone else I missed I hope you are all doing well.
Well I gotta run...will ck back later...stay cool everyone and have a great weekend.
Blackjack
Remember be healthy..be happy.
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Hi Buster's Mom. I have had that happen too where Ipost something and it is gone. Don't you wonder wher is could be? I swore a lot when in tx. There is nothing too good to say about it, so why not swear?
Congratulations Rad Grad, Jackie. Do not worry how you spent your days at Marion. Only go forward.. Leese, good to hear from you. I am sorry you were laid off. Do you think this is it for that job or could you be called back? Will you be trying for another? It just seems unfair that you lost that job right at this point when you are going through so much. I guess my dad was right, "Life isn't always fair," Anyway, good luck.
Beautiful here! We are going to the chef series at the Botanic Graden to learn more about cooking pasta. It is an outdoor demonstration.
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"Recognize that life is what you get when you're born ... living is what you do with it."
Jim Allen
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Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
- Marcel Proust
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Good morning
........Another beautiful Sunday and my day to do anything I truly want because I will not be packing to go back to Marion. I had the thought that maybe I wouldn't do anything, but that is not really me. Hard for me to sit still sometimes when I feel so good. I'm sure I won't set the world on fire----not sure I ever did that, but I will work at some organizing around here in prep for getting control of my home once again.Do we have any vacationers back, I'm wondering???
Hope those of you we haven't heard from are doing ok ????? Wendy TY, Karin, Leesa, a couple Julie's, Jule, Pat. Hopefully, you are all having a good time doing things you enjoy with people you care about.
I'll be checking in later as usual. In between bouts of whatever fun turns up for me. Take care and have a fantastic Sunday.
Jackie
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Good Morning Ladies,
What a great morning it is...sunny, warm and beautiful..the dog days of summer. I can't believe that August is right around the corner and fall will be here in no time..time flies when you are having fun.
I went to my best friend's daughter's wedding last noc. It was a beautiful wedding and we had a great time...they showed a picture video of the bride and groom and all the people in their lives and it got me thinking about how my life has changed over the past year. BC has changed me in many ways....emtionally and physically. People come into our life for a reason whether it is a md, nurse, surgeon, new friends or family member. Each one has a profound effect on your recover and how you see yourself as a person. I know through the course of my tx that certain people have helped me along the way... some for the better, others not. I know that I am ok..healthy and strong and living life to the fullest.
For the girls in tx...take each day as a gift and with the support of others you will see and end in site.
For the girls just out of tx..be kind to yourself...rest...enjoy the things you love to do
And for the others..enjoy the future and have fun.
I just want to thank all the girls here for supporting each other .. You are all a wonderful bunch of ladies here and I applaud all of you. The Illinois girls are the best !!!
So on that note... I hope everyone has as a great Sunday.
Remember to be healthy..be happy. Will ck back later.
Blackjack
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Good Morning Women!
Blackjack, your words are so meaningful to me at this specific time in my life. Please ladies, try to watch Randy Pausch on tv Tuesday evening. You can listen to his "Last Lecture" if you google it. The actual lecture is over an hour long, but never not engaging. For those who do not know, Randy just died of pancreatic cancer leaving a wife and three young kids. He knew he would die and he knew it would be soon. His lecture deals with living with passion rather than living just longer! My DH and I found it yesterday and sat together and watched it on our laptop. IT IS NOT ONE BIT MORBID. Please look for it. I was thinking of posting this as a whole new thread, but thought maybe that would be inappropriate. Susan
Tune in to "Good Morning America" Monday July 28 and Tuesday July 29 for a special tribute to Professor Pausch. Then be sure and catch "The Last Lecture: A Celebration of Life" Tuesday July 29 on "Primetime" at 10 p.m. ET and click here to see ABC News' full coverage of his story.
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Well friends, I was all set to "move away from my computer" when I decided to have one more look before I left. Now I am sitting here with wet eyes which I have had before when I heard the Professor's lecture. He is an ( at least to me ) extremely spiritual person. There is a huge difference in religious people and spiritual people----though a person can be both at the same time. The one thing I feel sure of is that the Professor was very full of spirituality. Most spiritual people are not afraid to die---they may not welcome it, but sure aren't afraid of it. Susan I know you have this right.....most of life is not about living as long as we can. I have said for a long time, that our life is about growing our soul---discovering for ourself why we are here and doing things which amplify all the positive aspects of our life and the lives of those around us.
We are ( thank goodness for that ) often treated in our lifetime to special people like Randy who are willing to stand up and speak out ----- travelers through life who choose to help all of us with the insights they have been able to figure out............and share the glory they have received knowing that it was never meant to be privately kept. He is truly a gift to mankind and I'm so happy that you shared this with us..........now I know I'm going to have a fantastic day.
Jackie
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"There is no possession more valuablethan a good and faithful friend."Socrates0
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Good Morning Ladies..
I hope everyone had a great weekend. Susan thank you for sharing the link for Randy Paush. I did watch it yesterday and it was inspiring. I have had alot of professors over the years, but this one truly inspired his class. We can be diagnosed with a disease...but how you handle the news and tx is so individual. I have taken care of pts over the years who just gave up and others fought like h*ll to live but in the end it was fatal. So when one teacher teaches live lessons we all learn from it.
Jackie..you are up there as our teacher with your wonderful quotes of the day. I look forward to them..Thank you for sharing them. You are truly an inspiration to all of us. Beaning away from home for tx was hard on you but you made the best of the situation. Now you are home and life goes on..back to the new normal.....
Wendy ..did you come home yet...We miss you and your pics..
To everyone in tx I hope you have an easy day..be kind to yourself..rest as needed..sending you a healing hug your way.
Laura...next party is in Aug right...need ideas...
As for me I am getting ready to go to Iowa this week..moving day for dd. Then off to Providence to see my son. I need to get everything done before school starts up and that is right around the corner for me.
So off the the gym now.. I hope everyone has a great Monday...enjoy the sunshine..
Will ck back later...Remember be healthy...be happy
Blackjack
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Happiness is natural. Everything else represents a compromise.
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Come, my friend. It is not too late to seek a newer world . . .We are one equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will. To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Alfred,Lord Tennyson
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Good morning everyone
Hope you are all ready for a wonderful day. Dh has a day off today so I'm hoping I will get a lot done, but am never sure. He can sometimes pull me off my best laid plans but if it is easy to do then I must not have been too serious, huh !!!!! See, sometimes I do face my 'truths'.
I'm hoping the vacationers are home soon...seems like some have been gone for such a long time----must be how much they are missed, huh!!!!! There is something for you all to feel good about....you are appreciated much and missed when you are gone.
Poured here last night so it's going to be humid today. Glad it's a bit cloudy right now. A little more tolerable for awhile. It will help keep our grass looking nice since this part of the year is when it browns way too much, and will keep the lake level up too. This time last year ( since several parts of the lake are shallow ) people were joking about mowing what had become dry lake-bed. Hope that does not happen this year. Probably will be fine.....too much water was spilled last yr. at the beginning which is what caused the lake to be so dry in places.
Well, I'm going to get started for the day but as always I'll be checking back here from time to time. I know there isn't a day going by that I don't think of all of you hoping for each that you have good days filled with positive energy that makes you stronger and stronger.
Jackie
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Hi Girlz!
DON'T FORGET - next lunch bunch is August 9th...right here in the forest...for those who do not have my address...just PM me. If you would like to bring a side dish...great...BUT NOT mandatory...if you're too busy - NO PROBLEM! If so though...let me know so we don't have duplicates...
My nieces party was a HUGE success...38 people and lots of fun! The dvd was a hit...Nic loved it and everyone had tears flowing! LOL I'll post a link to it, for those who would like to see it.
AND GUESS WHAT? I QUIT MY JOB THIS MORNING (via the phone)! Yup, yippy, YA HOO! I am hoping to keep my relationship with them - as a "consultant". This week is starting off on the right foot!
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Have a great Monday! I'll be back later...I'm busy doing all the things I neglected while incarcerated for the past 5 months...one of which is feeding the birds! They missed me! LOL ; )
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Oh Laura...I am sooo happy for you that you made the right decision for yourself in regards to the job of yours. I know that you have not been happy and your sunny disposition was under the weather alot of the time so...now its time to celebrate new future beginnings what ever that maybe for you. Here is one big cosmo's for you !!!!!
Have a restful and relaxing day and week...you so deserve it. I am glad your sunny smile and happy disposition is back and here to stay.
Blackjack
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Hi girls -
Congrats to Jackie for finishing rads!!! So happy for you!
I'm attaching a link to a new website - Health.com. I was interviewed for an article a long time ago and I just found out that it is up. They interviewed me about being young with cancer, support groups and the clinical trial I was in. I mentioned you guys when talking about support, but it turned out they only took my interview piece on the clinical trial.
http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20188401,00.html
Celebrating my son's 11th birthday today with family. Thursday is his kids party - laser tag. Then Friday after I see my bs for my routine check, we head to MI for our week's vacation. Sorry Laura - we aren't coming back until the 10th, so I can't make the party at your place. I hope you guys have a great time!
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Laura--what great news!!!! You are happy and that will surely make all the rest of us that way. Blackjack was right you know---Laura was spelling STRESSso much of the time these past months and if you are in a position where you DON'T have to rely on your job to keep your life afloat.......then ( and we all know you did ) after giving it your best shot, compromising and making adjustments, if it is still not a good fit---you can leave with a clear conscience.
Happy b-day to your son Connie and hope you all have a really enjoyable time. I'm anxious to check out the link for that article. I'm sure it will be informative and guess their focus was not perhaps as encompassing as it might have seemed when you were first interviewed.
I don't know about anyone else but after coming this far along---I certainly feel my "wellness" at this point has just as much to do with my being here and sharing through all of this as the Oncology protocol that got me here medically speaking.
See ya'll later.
Jackie
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Thanks girls! I feel as though the "ape" is finally gone! No more ball and chain either!
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Hi there! I'm baaaaaaaack!!!!!!Lots of stories...which I will share on the 9th...see,Jackie...you will just have to come now!
I kept up with all of you, just couldn't post....I'll have to print out the last 2 weeks so I remember what is going on.
Funny thing about this vacation...I actually lost weight. Go figure. Must have been all that fruit, salad and salmon I ate....and no cosmos! Back to PT for me tomorrow at 9:30...and I need it!
Will check in tomorrow...everyone sounds pretty much OK and for that I am soooo glad!
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Wendy is home.... yeah.. glad you are back and had a great time. You lost wt.. no cosmo's..any shopping damage...can't wait to hear your stories. Welcome home we sure missed our morning posts with graphics. Some of us are really technically challenge when it comes to graphics. lol.
I think we need a beach pic tomorrow for us who were not on vacation. lol
Blackjack
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Well....altho I didn't take this pic, this it what I saw every moring from my balcony! No ocean this moring, no waves last night and I HATE that! I'm a water girl and I need to move...prices in Fl are much more normal these days and there are for sale signs everywhere. Gas had done down there are well. I'm ready to pack but also their governor had cut all these groups including education, firemen, policemen etc. so whole bunches of people are being laod off. Whoever heard of a fireman being laid off???? Trouble is brewing down there...big time. So for right now, I guess we are stuck here, oceanless.Was so nice to see all DH's relatives...all 14 of them...and I LIKE them all! So lots of good conversations. Funny...they all told me I looked great - after what I went thru. I guess they were expecting a cadaver!
OK...just want to post to a few...
Susan...they have a livestrong center just about a mile from my hotel, on the beach! And can't wait to read your book. And so happy you get to stay away from any scalpels! PT is rather nice!
JulieR...sounds like you are moving thru your days well, not great, but okay. Slow and easy wins the race! Hope to see you on the 9th.
Kater...where have you been? I don't think I read any postings from you. Hope you and your Mom too are doing OK.
Blackjack....will you PLEASE wear some sunscreen? Any tan is a bad tan and I know that you know that! Good luck with the move of dd.
Laura...again, YAY for you for taking charge and making that change in your life! How's the goat doing?
Rita...how's that reach for recovery thing going? Still looking for your friend here....
Leesa...I am so sorry that now on top of everything else you have to look for another job! Is this due to the huge housing slump? Looking at doing something different? Maybe you could work at Vic's office again? LOL
Jackie...what are you doing with all this free time? I swear....you were in treatment for SO LONG! When do you leave for California? Don't foget to get your sleeve and gauntlet for the plane ride...wear it 2 hours before flying, and one hour after landing. Mine was $65. for the gauntlet and $56. for the sleeve. DO NOT wear one without the other! Ins. SHOULD pay for it...just an rx from the doc. I too love all your quotes. And altho I knew Randy was not going to survive this, he lived and enjoyed every bit of his life and I envy that. I need to enjoy more, live more. I need to be RITA!!!!
Rita...you have had as usual such a wonderful summer, but glad too that I am teaching you to be a bit of a lazy butt and just sit on the deck and look at the beautiful scene you have right before you. You lucky girl! I look at grass. WHERE'S MY OCEAN!!!!!!!!
Smerf...where you at?
Time to get going with the laundry...only 2 loads left...but still so much to put away and I have PT at 9:30 and I need to go to Jewel after that. And I need to catch up on the Young and the Restless. And I need to make my appt for bil mammo after Labor Day...been trying not to think about that the past few weeks but of course...it is now on my mind 24/7! I guess I could just skip this one....
JEESH!!!! Stop the screaming girls...heard you way over here...I'll get the appt. Nag, nag, nag.
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"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little 'extra'."
Jimmy Johnson
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Ah....isn't it great to have Wendy back !!!!! And she sounds just like Wendy, nagging herself really to get her appt. for mammograms. We don't call what she does to us nagging---do we ????? Well, you know what they say....it's a tough job but somebody has to do it and she takes care of us pretty well.
Wendy---would a large lake do instead of the ocean? Maybe that is an option. I would probably think about the Outer Banks---North Carolina if I really wanted an ocean nearby. Just me, but the one thing I found after living well over 20 years near the ocean in California was that I thrive where there are very definite seasons. My last few years in southern California were dare I say this, boring as all get out. Even the beauty and sound of the crashing ocean waves at the beach did nothing for me. It is one thing to vacation in that type of setting, but for me living year round in it became way less exciting and inspiring.
Now this is just a few thoughts from my own personal experience and may not be anything close to anyone else. I just need those definite seasons. Partially I guess I craved that strong sense of renewal that comes every Spring along with watching the woods ( trees, grass,bushes etc. ) get ready to take their " long winter's nap ". I also like the Christmas card winters and enjoy playing in the snow. It is different for me though living outside of town and in the woods where actual snow removal does NOT have to take place much.
Ok Laura----I'm still so stoked that you followed your heart and took your leap of faith in quitting your job. There is real meaning in ' life is too short ' to get bogged down in something that becomes a real irritation and stress giver to you and all of us need to smell roses more than ever so glad that you are doing just that by getting a life back that you know makes you happy.
I second Wendy---SMERF....where you at ?
Looks ( just talked to daughter Kate last night ) like I will be going to California in September. Everything connected to my rads turned out to be an on and off measurement. First nurse in rads said done in mid July. Second one said Aug. I put vacation in Sept. Ex ( Kate's dad ) said she might want me to come sooner.....so I started planning for that.............and now she wants me to wait for September after all. She will only have one vacation period and so wants to include her dad and me at the same time. Fine by me..........Mike ( ex ) and I have always gotten along very well. People at first ( we separated in early 70's ) raised their eyebrows. I think it was the era of hate them with a passion and take them for all they have. I could not do that or feel like that. We had two children together who deserved civil, rational parents---even if they had grown apart and could not stay married. End of story.
I try to enjoy all of my days as best I can. Of course, all the positive events are pretty easy to sink your teeth into, but I look on most of the rest of them as having something going on that I should or really need to know something about, or just to discover how I feel about them, learning new things about myself. I think about those sayings " What if the hokey-pokey IS what IT'S all ABOUT ? " and then " Don't take life too seriously---you'll never get out of it alive !!!! So somewhere along the way ( especially after the dreaded Big C I never expected to have happen to me ) I decided that I'm not paying attention and trying to learn as much from the negative events as I could and learn to define and shape the power I have not to let those events build up too much steam. ( spelled stress ) I'm trying to find that new normal and that is part of it for me. It's actually for me a way to return to how life used to be for me.....a time when I accepted easier all life had in store w/o labeling or trying to categorize it---I didn't worry then so much about what happened or what MIGHT happen. I just dealt with it and moved on and did not suffer much from what if's or guess I should haves-----everything then was a challenge to do my very best and I didn't get frustrated with why's. So, onward and upward.
Ok...too much like a lecture. I'm getting outta' here before any eggs get tossed or I hear "throw the bum out". I'll be back---like Arnold later.
Jackie
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