Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
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OH CRIPE - Not only are Illinois girls tough and beautiful...but THEY'RE FUNNY TOO! You girls crack me up!
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Little C...cripe...you are so funny! I love it! I was wondering about you... Tell your Nova neighbor I'll race him anytime! LOL Hopefully, rads will be good to you...hopefully BETTER THAN THAT LOSER NURSE! LOL Ovaries - be gone! LOL Our next get together is on the 19th...if you want to drive to my house, we can drive together to the lunch...let me know. I did work on the burnout skills...the first one I did at the track was really embarassing...it was the whimpiest burnout ever! And the announcer said: "that's the perfect way to NOT do a burnout!" I wanted to crawl in the trunk! So, needless to say...............I need more practice!
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YES...those really will be our costumes...LOL...I'm thinking about having a Halloween Party this year...would any of you be interested in attending?
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Hope you are all enjoying the last of this weekend!
I can't even think about that dirty 6 letter word that starts with a W, ends with an R...and has the letters, inte in between! 0 -
"Women need real moments of solitude
and self-reflection to balance out
how much of ourselves we give away."
Barbara De Angelis0 -
Happy Holiday to all.
Dh is in surgery all day, and I am doing some much needed cleaning of my own house. He was at the hospital yesterday too, which explains why I have the computer two weekend days in a row! Our son is coming later, so I get to spend more time with him. Yay! Really hot for September, but I don't care about the weather. Life's too short, as they say. I did water some flowers and bushes, but the poor grass is brown for now.
Have an elderly aunt in Gulfport, MS. and wondering where she is at the moment. She lost her house in Katrina, and it took a few weeks to find her, but she was fine. Really fiesty and tough! She rebuilt her home, and she is in her eighties. She still talks about Camilla all the time, and the town still has scars from that far back. Keeping all our southern citizens in my prayers today.
Jackie...Those last two quotes especially good, and I'll bet we all relate.
Michele...Sunscreen! Good for you. Hope you are loving every minute of this beautiful weekend.
Wendy...How's the invalid? Hope he is on the mend, and ready to go by tomorrow. Kind of tough to walk around with certain area bandaged....
Laura...Hope you are completely healed up from all those stings. I had a similar though smaller scale incident years ago in my backyard, and it was no fun. Lots of benedryl later it was better.
I hope you all have a wonderful day, and to those in treatment, a huge hug.
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Hey Girls!
The second Taxol kicked my butt! I had it Friday and I am just starting to feel a little better tonight. It was the first time chemo made me sick. Ugh! I now understand the whole flu like symptom things.
Anyway, along the way something great happened. Saturday morning my husband's golf group was doing a themed day. It was called pink shirt/red tees. A group of over 20 male golfers showed up with pink shirts and played from the red (women's) tees. I've never seen so many men in pink by their own choice. I had to walk over to witness the event. After they finished playing, Chris called me and asked me to come over to the clubhouse. When I got there the guys handed me this huge wad of money. They asked me to donate it to find a cure! I was speechless. To think that these guys came up with this all by themselves. Chris didn't even know anything about it. One of the guys called me today and asked me if I was interested in trying to make it a national thing to raise money. I'm still in shock!
Rita, Hope you had a wonderful birthday and won lots of money! I didn't get your card in the mail so I'll be dropping it by.
Wendy, Yes, I was back on the course putting and chipping. It was fun. But, boy was I worn out! The mohawk is long gone, but the attitude will always be here! Now I am working on the peach fuzz look. I also tried the "cousin it" thing with my wig at poker night last Thursday. Unfortunately it got caught on camera as well. I'll definitely have an interesting photo album from this part of my life! Your story about your husband was too funny! I hope he is okay. I'm not sure I want to meet him. I would have a hard time keeping a straight face.
Michele, I only had the mohawk a couple of days. I don't really remember it the AC fogged things up to much or maybe it was the Ativan.
Connie, Great news from the onc!
Smerf, When do we get to see some pictures of the bathroom and all you others doing remodels?!
Jackie, I'm not sure cute is the word that I would use to describe that picture! Chemo crazy seems more accurate.
Susan, I think you gave me courage from the day I met you!
JulieR, How are the wedding plans going? Stop touching that boob. You need to give it a rest before your wedding night! It's it fun to watch them grow. I'm amazed every time I go for a fill.
Laura, I had the newlasta with the AC treatments. But, they can't use it with the Taxol. I think there is another drug that they will start using if my counts keep dropping. I told Chris last night if a shot would get rid of how I felt, sign me up! Love your choice for costumes.
Hi to everyone else. Hope you are doing well. My favorite saying these days is..."this to shall pass, hopefully sooner rather than later"
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WendyTY I am so sorry to hear the Taxol was so un-pleasant this time. Hopefully, someone here may have had it and could help you out. I googled it as I didn't know anything about it. It gave a list of self-help things you could do for your side effects but I'm betting you have seen that already or have something from your oncologist's office. I didn't have too much trouble with my Taxotere....though it did have some of the same side effects I think as the Taxol. I'm still waiting for my fingernails which are a bit wavy and strange looking. Also still have numb feet part of the time and wearing anything ( don't know what I'll do when it gets chilly ) on my feet makes my toes really hurt.......oh well. It's really ok. The important thing is that we get well and you have a fantastic attitude.....because it does pass.
I started to think again this afternoon late about all the second chances I am getting now to tweak things a little......to re-arrange my life. Don't know if you will have those sorts of thoughts down the line when you are done with your treatments but for me it's a nice bonus. I was allowing myself to be so busy that I don't think I was as in touch with my life as I should have been. This has been a wake-up call for me. It's time to slow down and really care for myself and others and to care about everything that is around me.
I'm glad you are feeling much better and I hope you and everyone else had a fantastic day. I did even though it was hot and muggy. We capped off the day by going to Central City and having a Butterfinger Razzle ( like a Dairy Queen Blizzard ). I will have to eat light for a couple of days to make up for that but it sure was good. Yum-Yum.
Jackie
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Morning! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday....the weather was hot, but I am keeping my mouth shut....you know what's coming....
Laura/Heidi.....I think Blackjack's lamb might work! And you have a new avatar! You are so pretty!
Smerf....good that you got a chance at the computer this weekend but sorry DH was in surgery - no rest for the wicked I guess! When does your son leave for Ohio?
Blackjack....you sound like your weekend was wonderful and is was nice of you to let the 12yr old win! Any nibbles on your old townhouse?
Rita...hope you won big and had a great bd weekend getaway!
WendyTY....cousin it?????? Love to see that picture! And how great was that about those men giving you all the money! And wanting to keep it going on a national level! Gotta love those guys! They must love you dearly......
Jackie...it was a holiday. There are no calories in ice cream eaten on holidays. I thought everyone knew that!
DH is better, but still sore which I can totally imagine. What a freak accident! Unfortunately now I have to keep reminding him to zip up! Maybe I should replace all the zippers with velcro!
Time to run and shower and get to the gym! Going to be hot one today, but finally some rain tomorrow I hear! Relatives are ok from Gustav, just some rain...but they are keeping their eyes on Hanna! Have a great day everyone!
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Interesting VIt S article I thought was worth posting. I'm interested in learning more about this and will be researching it further- just thought I'd share.
I'm doing better- over the hump with the blasted bronchitis. Still some episodes at night, but getting better. Thank goodness- that was exhausting.
Met with my PS for second consult this weekend and will write with more details soon. But the rest of the weekend-- was just so blessedly normal. I'm a week+ out from last chemo, appetite is back- weird- but back. Energy low- but managing. We took the kids to a street fair this weekend and then had a picnic yesterday at a local park. Made an attempt at paddleboats...my strong willed 6 yr old insisted on doing it HIMSELF and steered us in circles and at one point crashed into a DUCK! We, um, quacked up. (sorry.....)
Last night had friends over for bbq. Sat outside with a (very small) glass of wine, listened to my children play, the cicadas hum....best normal-ish night in a long, long time.
I'm headed to the hospital today for my pre-op physical. I know my blood levels are still too low- but they want to go ahead with all the other checks (heart etc).
And-- sent a message to Brenda (HarmonySun) (email thru hospital- they have a service where you can do this there) and then again this weekend. Have not heard back from her. May try to call her today.
-julieb
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Treating Disease With Vitamin D
We predict the future recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin D, for
otherwise healthy people, will be at least 1000 IU/day (in the new official
units for vitamins, this translates to 25 ug/day). This amount is already
the consensus of nutrition experts in the field of osteoporosis and
vitamin D. Such recommendations only apply to healthy people. If you have
vitamin D deficiency <http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/vdds.shtml>, or the
diseases of vitamin D deficiency, you need to be under the care of a
physician.
Monitoring 25(OH)D LevelsWe predict that treatment with physiological doses of vitamin D3 (between
4,000-10,000 IU/day from all sources, including sun, food and supplements)
with periodic monitoring of blood 25(OH)D (calcidiol) levels and calcium
levels will become routine. There is reason to think it will help Zittermann
A*Vitamin D in preventive medicine: are we ignoring the evidence?*Br J of
Nutr. 2003;89:552-572.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=RetrievePlus&list_uids=12720576>
Holick
M*Vitamin
A Millennium Perspective.*J Cell Biochem.
2003;88:296-307.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=RetrievePlus&list_uids=12520530>several
vitamin D deficiency-associated diseases such as:- autism <http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/science/research/autism.shtml>
- autoimmune illness<http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/researchAutoimmune.shtml>
- cancer <http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/researchCancer.shtml>
- chronic pain <http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/researchChronicPain.shtml>
- depression <http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/researchMentalIllness.shtml>
- diabetes <http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/researchDiabetes.shtml>
- heart disease<http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/researchHeartDisease.shtml>
- hyperparathyroidism<http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/researchHyperparathyroid.shtml>
- hypertension<http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/researchHypertension.shtml>
- influenza
- myopathy <http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/researchMuscularWeak.shtml>(neuromuscular
disorders)
- osteoporosis<http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/researchOsteoporosis.shtml>At this time, we advise even healthy people (those without the diseases of
vitamin D deficiency) to seek a knowledgeable physician and have your
25(OH)D level measured. If your levels are below 40 ng/mL you need enough
sun, artificial light, oral vitamin D3 supplements, or some combination of
the three, to maintain your 25(OH)D levels between 40-65 ng/mL year around.
How Much Vitamin D?If you refuse to see a physician, or can't find a knowledgeable one,
purchase the 1000 IU/day vitamin D3 cholecalciferol pills that are available
over-the-counter in North America. Take an average of two pills a day
(50 ugor 2,000
IU) year around if you have some sun exposure. If you have little or no sun
exposure, you will need to take more than 2,000 IU per day, how much more
depends on your latitude of residence, skin pigmentation, and body weight.
Generally speaking, the further you live away from the equator, the darker
your skin, and the more you weigh, the more you will have to take to
maintain healthy blood levels. For example, Dr. Cannell lives at latitude
32 degrees, weighs 220 pounds, and has fair skin. In the late fall and
winter he takes 5,000 IU per day, in the early fall and spring he takes
2,000 IU per day, and in the summer he regularly sunbathes for a few minutes
most days, and thus takes no vitamin D most days in the summer. The only way
you can know how much you vitamin D you need to take is by repeatedly
getting your blood tested, called a 25(OH)D
test<http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/reference/glossary-#.shtml#hydtest>,
and seeing what you need to do to keep your level around 50 ng/mL.
Infants and ChildrenInfants and children under the age of one, should obtain a total of 1,000 IU(25
mcg) per day from their formula, sun exposure, or supplements. As most
breast milk contains little or no vitamin D, breast-fed babies should take
1,000 IU per day as a supplement unless they are exposed to sunlight. The
only exception to this are lactating mothers who either get enough sun
exposure or take enough vitamin D (usually 4,000-6,000 IU per day) to
produce breast milk that is rich in vitamin D. Formula fed babies should
take an extra 600 IU per day until they are weaned and then take 1,000 IU a
day, as advised below.Children over the age of 1 year, and less than 4 years of age, should take
1,500 IU vitamin D per day, depending on body weight, latitude or residence,
skin pigmentation, and sun exposure.Children over the age of 4, and less than 10 years of age, should take
2,000 IU per day, unless they get significant sun exposure. On the days they
are outside in the sun, they do not need to take any; in the winter they
will need to take 2,000 IU every day.Children over the age of 10 years old should follow instructions for adults
detailed above.
Vitamin D Upper LimitIf you absolutely avoid the sun, you should have your 25(OH)D level measured
and remember that a maximum of two pills a day (50 ug or 2,000 IU) is the
upper limit (UL) currently listed by the Food and Nutrition Board as the
amount not to exceed unless under the care of a physician. When it comes to
vitamin D, the right amount is good, but a lot is not better and can be
dangerous. However, 2,000 IU a day is simply not enough for many people to
get the full benefit of vitamin D, nor is it enough to keep vitamin D levels
around 50 ng/mL, especially in the winter.
Maintaining 25(OH)D LevelsIf you are suffering from any of the diseases associated with vitamin D
deficiency you need to be under the care of a knowledgeable physician. Your
physician needs to replete your vitamin D system with sunlight, artificial
light, oral vitamin D, or a combination of the three, while treating your
vitamin D deficiency illnesses using conventional means. Regardless of the
method used, we believe your physician should be certain your 25(OH)D levels
are maintained between 35-65 ng/mL.For those who do not fear the sun, judiciously expose as much skin as
possible to direct midday sunlight for 1/4 the time it takes for one's skin
to turn red during those months when the proper ultraviolet light occurs at
one's latitude (usually late spring, summer and early fall). Do not get
sunburned. Vitamin D production is already maximized before your skin turns
pink and further exposure does not increase levels of vitamin D but may
increase your risk of skin cancer. Black
patients<http://www.knowledgeofhealth.com/report.asp?story=A%20Black%20Power%20Pill&catagory=Vitamin%20D>may
need five to ten times longer in the sun than white patients,
depending
on skin type. After several months of judicious sun exposure, a
25(OH)Dlevel should again be obtained to ensure levels between 35-65
ng/mL.Several artificial light sources are commercially available that provide the
proper wavelength for vitamin D production. Sperti makes a good UVB
lamp<http://sperti.com/>and even has data available on the vitamin D
production of its sunlamps.As far as vitamin D supplements are concerned, we believe cholecalciferol is
the preferred oral form of vitamin D, as it is the compound your skin makes
naturally when you go in the sun. It is more potent and perhaps even safer
than the synthetic analog, ergocalciferol, in more common use. Vieth R, Chan
PC, MacFarlane GD*Efficacy and safety of vitamin D3 intake exceeding the
lowest observed adverse effect level.*Am J Clin Nutr. 2001
Feb;73(2):288-94.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=RetrievePlus&list_uids=11157326>Cholecalciferol
is 1.7 times more efficient at raising
25(OH)D levels than is ergocalciferol. Trang HM, Cole DE, Rubin LA,
Pierratos A, Siu S, Vieth R*Evidence that vitamin D3 increases serum
25-hydroxyvitamin D more efficiently than does vitamin D2.*Am J Clin Nutr.
1998 Oct;68(4):854-8.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=RetrievePlus&list_uids=9771862>
Calcitriol Contraindicated in VDDSErgocalciferol has been used safely by physicians for years for a variety of
indications. Unfortunately, when doctors don't prescribe ergocalciferol,
they sometimes prescribe calcitriol or newer analogs of calcitriol, costing
thousands of times more than cholecalciferol. Calcitriol, and its analogs,
are contraindicated in vitamin D
deficiency<http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/vdds.shtml>because they may
cause hypercalcemia and they fail to address the real
problem: low stores of 25(OH)D. Cholecalciferol repletes the vitamin D
system by filling up your vitamin D tank with 25(OH)D, the vitamin D
fuel. Vieth
R*The pharmacology of vitamin D, including fortification strategies.*In:
Feldman D, Glorieux F, eds. Vitamin D, Chapter 61, in press, 2nd ed.
Academic Press, San Diego. <http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/treatment.shtml>Giving calcitriol, or its analogs, for vitamin D deficiency is like shooting
ether into your engine to keep your car running. In addition, they pose a
significant risk of hypercalcemia (high blood calcium). If you have a simple
vitamin D deficiency and your doctor insists on prescribing calcitriol or an
expensive analog of vitamin D (other than cholecalciferol or
ergocalciferol), find another doctor.
Hypersensitivity Not ToxicityVitamin D hypersensitivity syndromes are often mistaken for
vitamin D toxicity <http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/vitaminDToxicity.shtml>.
This rare syndrome occurs when abnormal tissue subvert the kidney's normal
regulation of endocrine 1,25(OH)2D3 (calcitriol) production. Aberrant
tissues, usually granulomatous in nature, convert 25(OH)D into
1,25(OH)2D3causing high blood calcium. The most common of such
conditions are
sarcoidosis, oat cell carcinoma of the lung, and non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma-although other illness, such as primary hyperparathyroidism, can
cause the syndrome. Periodic measurements of 25(OH)D levels and serum
calcium will alert the physician to the need to do more tests, such as
1,25(OH)2D3 or PTH.Toxicity is simply not a concern in doses below 10,000 units a day.
Restoring physiological serum levels of 25(OH)D will help many more patients
than it will hurt.John Jacob Cannell
MD<http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/cannellBiography.shtml>Executive
Director 2004.12.140 -
WendyTY - I WAS SOOOOOOOOOOO hoping Taxol was gonna cut you some slack...dang! Honestly...it kicked my butt! BIG TIME...but there's still hope that the next ones aren't the same for you. Hang in there...be tough... That is so awesome you were recognized by the golf committee! How sweet of them!
Pat - My stings are better...they continue to itch though. But I twisted my ankle running from them...it's really sore still...have a foor Dr appt on Thursday...will probably get an x-ray...man it's always something...hope your aunt continues to do well.
JulieB - Hope your tests go well today...hang in there! Just think...come late fall, you'll have a lot of this cra* behind you...and you'll be preparing for the holidays...
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Labor Day weekend - 3 years ago - was quite an experience. I had just gotten out of the hosp after having the first Mast and Sent Node Biop. I was so happy to be home, but then Katrina struck the south and our well system quit working up here in the north. We had no running water for 4 days over that weekend. I had 2 drains in me...the pain was horrific. We had no working toilets either! Roy gave me sponge baths with cold bottled water...Couldn't get through to the well company - dh went out and bought a short wave radio...we sat on the deck and listened to the rescue attempts in new orleans...honestly...as bad as it was here having been newly dx'd with bc, without toilets and running water and having the drains still in me, stitches from ear to ear, and the pain, and the fear...my heart was still with those dealing with Katrina. It was almost surreal...a part of me felt as though the world was ending. I felt somewhat helpless and out of control of the events happening around me...I look back and shake my head...we truly are survivors...in so many different ways for so many different reasons!
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Wendrew - How's Tom thumb! LOL Glad your relatives are getting a break...hope it stays that way. btw - Lance is STILL in NC...still getting stem cell replacements (I found out...he has MM - Multiple Myeloma)...doesn't look good...continue to pray please!
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Hope you're all having a great day...it's a hot one! Be well...
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OMG, that was a lot of information on Vitamin D!
Reverend Meek's buses never came to my school afterall! It is like 95 degress in my classroom. No wonder. Who would want to enroll.
That was a great story you told WendytY. How beautiful. That is something you will never forget. Men are touched by BC. Their mother's sisters, wives and daughters can get it. They can get it too! I think men are becoming so much more sensitive tabout so much, the older I get! Anyway, wonderful story.
I have not heard from Brenda either. She has two little ones and one was starting school. So much to handle.
I had surgery for BC two years ago on Monday. I did open house at school and never told the parents (that may have been a bad things to do, but I knew so little at the time). The next day I was out, and my sub was in. Two weeks later I was back in school and faced the biggest challenge of my life. I can hardly recall the details. Weird!
Hope all is well and happy. Oh, it is hot!
Susan
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Your world is made of your memories, and your memories are given to you by your world. The whispering voice of happenstance is always in our ears. 'This is the world. This is the way things are. Look. Pay attention. Remember.'
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Real Live Preacher,Hi Everyone, I so enjoyed reading Laura and Susan's recollections of what life was like and how they were living it when they started their cancer journey. I did not have anything going on at the time though it won't be a year for me until the 27th. of September. Still, it is hard to believe that nearly a whole year has gone by since I FOUND out. At the time it almost felt like time stopped or maybe I just thought my life was stopping. Well, life as I knew it did stop and something else began and I can't say it has been as awful as it could have been. Parts have not been great but I always felt part of me willing to do anything or go through anything to survive.
Hope you all have had a great day. Little cooler here and not quite as much mugginess. Rain is coming though.
I go back to work on Thursday---hooray.
Talk to ya'll later.
Jackie
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Hi everyone! Happy belated birthday, Rita!! I hope you enjoyed your day.
Wendy - OMG - that is a hilarious story. Poor guy.
WendyTY - sorry Taxol kicked your butt. I hated Taxol, but I liked it better than AC because I knew it would only be a few days and then I would feel better. With AC, I felt like crap the whole time. I had Neupogen shots with the AC and Neulasta with the Taxol.
I'm depressed about the cool weather that is on the way. I love summer too much! This weekend was my last weekend in MI. It couldn't have been any nicer. There wasn't a cloud for 3 days.
Sharon - OMG - that is crazy about a cyst with hair and teeth! I hope you sail through the next 3 months with no issues.
Does anyone else have lingering neuropathy? I have a couple of areas in my feet that are numb and I don't think they will be getting better. It bothers me more depending on the weather (cold weather makes it worse) and the shoes I wear. I have these cushy sandals that I wore all summer and when I wear them, my feet feel perfectly fine. But, I can't wear them to work or in the winter. So, I think I need to go shoe shopping to find some shoes that feel better on my feet. Does anyone have this? Have you found any relief with certain shoes? Probably a Kater question!
I should be there on the 19th, but I have to see how things are going at work. Things have been crazy and I have been working a lot at home these days.
I hope everyone is doing well!
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Hi gals!
Thank you so much for all the wonderful birthday wishes and the cards that arrived in the mail. I will thank you all personally for the cards once I get my desk computer cleaned up. We had a wonderful three days away and then I came back to find a security threat on my desktop computer where a Trojan had broken through and tried to steal my credit card information. I've spent the afternoon and evening cancelling and blocking the credit card and working with my neighbor, a complete computer whiz, to get rid of the problem. We are still in the process of scanning and rescanning and it's still not solved. Luckily my laptop has not been affected so I can still use. What a gut-wretching nightmare!!!! Hopefully we can it this removed. How scary!
We had lots of fun but didn't win big. We'd win a little, give it back, win a little, give it back......
We had lots of good food and played golf at a lovely course. It sounds like all of you had a great holiday. I will try to catch up tomorrow.
Rita
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Hi
Sorry- the Vit D post was much longer than I realized!
I did hear from Brenda today-- she sounded absolutely great. She caught me as I was on my way to my pre-op appt with the hospital and we laughed about how I ended up asking her for all the advice. She posted a long post someone on line here-- you can see it if you go through her profile, but in general, she was completely amazed that 4 days out she was active, helping her kids and not feeling bad at all. Our kids are the same ages- so this was great for me to hear.
So- sorry Brenda if I'm speaking for you here-- just wanted to let everyone know how well you are doing!
**Pre-op appt today-- coudn't get a vein for the CBC- they kept rolling or blowing. Courtesy of chemo I'm guessing. They almost went to get the chemo phlembotomist (sp?) who has some kind of magic touch, but got one at the last minute. Owww- arm hurts! Then later met with the PS nurse for an education session. Got to feel the implants, see the drains....I didn't freak out, but left feeling that it is all so surreal...that I was having this calm conversation about having my breast removed. I still can't quite wrap my head around it. Did anyone else feel that way? -julie
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Hi Connie,
I am still having problems with my feet. I have tried to ignore it as much as possible and just give it time. I only had my last chemo on April 30th. I wanted to get some tennis shoes here recently, but they felt so horrible on that I nixed that idea pretty quickly. I figure I'm lucky it's only my feet....a couple of my Dr's were asking about back pain and I don't have many complaints there although I do feel a few aches now and then.....nothing has lasted like the feet. My big toes are numb as are the next to last toes on each side. Couple of spots in the foot just under the toes. I too have been generally in sandals since I finished the chemo. Don't know what I'm going to do. I got some clogs the other day.....they are sort of just a different pair of sandals though. Figured it would keep me going for a bit.
Probably need to go have my big toenails removed but I cringe at the thought.
Rita, glad you are back but my goodness---what a thing to come home too. Do you leave your computer on all the time? I have done that since I got the new pc but may re-think that idea. I have everything set up on a power strip and use to turn off and on with that. May have to go back to that method. Hope it does not take too long to get things set to rights at your house.
Jackie
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Morning! Storms must be coming cuz it sure is dark out.....but we need the rain and temps in the 70's sound nice.
Rita.....what kind of security do you have on your desktop? We use Norton but every year when we upgrade the computer slows down by so much! I did not renew in May as we want to get new computers, but the old versions are still working as is the aol versions....maybe I shouldn't have done that! Oh well....our techy who works for DH's school district said that buying a MAC will NOT mean that I can't have my info breached...he said they are thisclose to figuring out how to break into apples so you need to have security on those as well. Time to get off my butt and buy a new computer or two I guess!
Connie....I lucked out and had no neuropathy so I can't help much with that. Sorry your weekends have ended....don't you still go up thru the fall?
JulieB...it must be very surreal, sitting there, discussing removal of a breast and squeezing implants. And so sorry re: your veins! Maybe next time drink lots of water to plump them up a bit...coulnd't hurt. Glad too that you heard from Brenda - sounds like she is a super-trooper! Hope she isn't overdoing it, tho....that can be just as bad.
Laura...I cannot imagine coming home from a mastectomy - to no water or electricity. And you still worried about New Orleans? I would have been all about me, me, me. But then...that's you, you , you....always thinking about someone else! That's why we love you! And I do keep Lance in my prayers....hope he can get home soon to see his family!
That was very interesting re: Vit D....we are so concerned about skin cancer that we forget how important D is! I started with D, 1000 U...then went to D3...now on 2000 U of D3. Do any of you guys take more? I've listened to some docs on TV and they take either 1000 or up to 2000 U of D3 themselves, but nothing higher. And my ins. will NOT pay for a baseline D level...right now. Since there is so much info coming in lately re: vit d and cancer I'm thinking this could change soon. And since I would end up paying around $500. for this test...I think I will just keep taking my 2 little pills and call it a day!
DH's "thumb" is looking much better...still rather tender tho. He is so careful zipping up....he wishes he could just wear pull-up pants and be done with it!
Hope everyone else is doing well...and treatment is not treating you too badly. Stay dry!
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Today's Quotes:
If kids come to us [teachers] from strong, healthy
functioning families, it makes our job easier. If they do not
come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families, it
makes our job more important.
- Barbara Colorose
The teacher is one who makes two ideas grow where only one
grew before.
- Elbert Hubbard, 1856 - 1915
If he [a teacher] is indeed wise he does not bid you enter
the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the
threshold of your own mind.
- Kahlil Gibran, 1883 - 1931
When one gives whatever one can without restraint, the
barriers of individuality break down. It no longer becomes
possible to tell whether it is the student offering himself
to the teacher, or the teacher offering herself to the
student. One sees only two immaculate beings, reflecting one
another like a pair of brilliant mirrors.
- Lao Tsu, The Hua Hu Ching
The teacher must derive not only the capacity, but the
desire, to observe natural phenomena. The teacher must
understand and feel her position of observer: the activity
must lie in the phenomenon.
- Maria Montessori, 1870 - 1952
A high-school teacher, after all, is a person deputized by
the rest of us to explain to the young what sort of world
they are living in, and to defend, if possible, the part
their elders are playing in it.
- Emile CapouyaThis is obviously for all the teachers here.....they are nice for former students ( a trillion years ago now it seems ) to read as well. I forgot to say....I use AVG on my computers here at home. The tech geek that I use to help me out when things go bad said that sooner or later.....everyone gets some sort of virus activity on their computers. And often it slips through your virus protection. I have had that happen.
I also take my computer to Staples every now and then and get a $10.00 tune-up. They just go through it and wipe out all the little bits and particles from things you do that don't get completely erased and any other glitched or mal-function areas.....and usually you are running faster and smoother again. One time ( a while before I got the new pc ) I had the blue screen of death and they gave me the $10.00 tune-up and I got my "dead" computer back, running fine. Thank God for tech people, huh!!!!!
We may get rain today.....if it makes it cooler, ok. If not, then tomorrow for sure I think.
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"Instead of judging, start accepting yourself with all the imperfections, all the frailties, all the mistakes, all the failures. Don't ask yourself to be perfect. That is simply asking something impossible, and then you are feeling frustrated. You are a human being."0
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Thanks for the responses re:neuropathy Jackie and Kater. My spots are mostly on the balls of my feet. Yes - tennis shoes are the worst, but how am I supposed to work out? I can't do that in my sandals. I usually just suffer through and feel such relief when I take them off. I wonder if going to a larger size would help.
Glad Brenda's doing well. I remember taking 3 weeks off from work following my surgery but really only needed 2. The third week I spent going from dr to dr.
Wendy - usually we go up to MI some in September, but we have a few things going on this year and I won't make it back there. My boys go all year round to ATV and snowmobile. I will only go if our neighbors go as they have a girl my daughters age. If she's not there my daughter would be bored silly and driving me crazy!
Laura - can you give a little more info on the walk? My DH and son will be camping for Boy Scouts that weekend, but I was thinking of coming with my daughter. Would that be too much for her (she's 7)? What is parking like? Do I have to leave my house at 5 am just to get there to get a parking spot? When is the walk usually over? Thanks!
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Good morning everyone...
I have a lot of posts to catch up on later... but got to read at least a few.
WendyK - the story about your hubby - omg, I was like "that has to hurt!". I immediatley thought about "Someting About Mary" too. Glad to hear he is feel better.
Connie - I'm with you. I saw the cool forecast & was like "nooooo, please don't let summer end".
JulieChicago - thanks for letting us know how Brenda is doing. So glad to hear she is bouncing back so quickly, that's awesome.
WendyTY - sorry to hear about the Taxol flu
Sorry I can't respond to everyone - I've got to get out of the house for a haircut, haven't had one since June.
Back then (before surgery) I told my stylist that if she saw me on her schedule in the next few months, that meant I didn't need chemo. She hugged me & said "I'm going to see you soon!" She was right, and I'm grateful (and lucky, I know).
Tomorrow is scan day, all morning long.. whoopie! But I'm happy to get them out of the way before the wedding. Started the Tamoxifen yesterday too.
Take care everyone - JulieR
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Consider the following. We humans are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others' actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others' activities. For this reason it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others.
Nor is it so remarkable that our greatest joy should come when we are motivated by concern for others. But that is not all. We find that not only do altruistic actions bring about happiness but they also lessen our experience of suffering. Here I am not suggesting that the individual whose actions are motivated by the wish to bring others' happiness necessarily meets with less misfortune than the one who does not. Sickness, old age, mishaps of one sort or another are the same for us all. But the sufferings which undermine our internal peace -- anxiety, doubt, disappointment -- these things are definitely less. In our concern for others, we worry less about ourselves. When we worry less about ourselves an experience of our own suffering is less intense.
What does this tell us? Firstly, because our every action has a universal dimension, a potential impact on others' happiness, ethics are necessary as a means to ensure that we do not harm others. Secondly, it tells us that genuine happiness consists in those spiritual qualities of love, compassion, patience, tolerance and forgiveness and so on. For it is these which provide both for our happiness and others' happiness. [Ethics for a New Millennium, by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama]
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Good morning all,
It started pouring down rain late yesterday afternoon/early evening and for the most part rained off and on all night. It's again coming down at a pretty fast pace. We had been some time w/o the moisture so our earth in this part of the country is getting a very nice drink. Don't know that my feral kitties will be thrilled......maybe it will give us a chance this afternoon to get some food out.
Denny has the next two days off. Hope he is prepared to work a bit helping me with some of the things that are a bit difficult. My computer room is nearly back to normal though minus a great good deal of stuff. This will not be the last great throw-away either. I just took out the things I was SURE I didn't want.......in time I bet I can peel down another layer or two.
This is what will happen with the rest of the rooms as well. My pile of auction goods is growing fairly steadily right now. Have to get that ready as soon as possible if I'm going to to it this season. I think they quit having many after October.
Hope you all have a fantastic day--even if it is a wet one. It will keep it a bit cooler anyway.
Jackie
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hello everyone, thank you for the good thoughts and wishes, it made me feel so good before and after surgery to read those and i thank all of you with all my heart for thinking of me. you are all so awesome, i hope i can meet with you sometime, julie told me what a great group of gals you are! i am so relieved to have the surgery done with, i did post a long post about it "home from surgery", . I am so relieved to have the surgery done with and am so happy to be doing far better than i expected. It is definitely hard with the little ones, they are especially needy of me because i was gone and just in general these little people require a lot of maintenance! I thought that I would be sitting in the recliner or bed and that my husband or sisters would be bringing me juice etc! I have totally been taking care of myself since i got home and also my girls. I have been forcing myself to ignore cleaning up, laundry, etc, so i am not doing that and my husband has been doing dishes.
Today I should get the final path report so of course, i am a bit anxious about that.A little crabby, worried.
it is hard to take it easy as i am used to go go go all day, but i am trying. Still waiting to get caught up on season 3 of desperate housewives!
I was wondering-has anyone sent their pathology report to another hospital? This is something I would like to do. Also, more than one oncologist opinion?
You ladies rock!! I am so very grateful for the comments and kind wishes and thoughts. thank you, brenda
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Hi All. I have missed several days of posting as I was getting ready for the school year to start. I do have good news - my last chemo day was yesterday!! WHOOO HOOO! I am so excited, but because I haven't been sleeping well lately even with increased ATivan, the meds kicked me on my butt! I am home today but checking email. I am going to try and get a nap in so that I will be ready to go tomorrow.
Still no final determination regarding surgery. My onc is recommending a lumpectomy, and I will hear from my surgeon next Friday. I just wish that there was a magic ball!
Julie
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Hi Girls,
I had a wonderful time at lunch I so glad you all like Vic, he is a terrific guy. I only have 6 rads left, the machine broke today so they had to cancel.
I'm doing okay with the job, it's fun to be with all the young kids there. I'm so happy everyone is doing well. I just wrote my brother a letter and I try to be inspirational, I find myself quoting all of you, you have been such a tremendous light in my life, I thank you.
The weekend was uneventful, such a relief from the usual drama in my life..
love you all
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Brenda...so very glad to hear that things are going well for you after your surgery. Be careful not to overdo as it's sometimes harder to recoup then than if you'd done less in the first place. Hugs to you, hon. You've gotten through a major step of this journey. As for having your path report read by different specialists............go for it if it makes you feel better. I had mine read two different places. In my case, both results were the same but I felt very assured then that they "had it right." Many of us have gone for second opinions along the way or had tests rerun or reread by others. It's good to be proactive and good to do whatever gives you the most peace of mind.
My computer is still not fixed so I'm on the laptrop right now. What a nasty virus this is! I had McAfee antivirus system on my computer. It let the virus in and now wants more money to try to remove it. My patience is about at zero by now so they'll probably end up getting the extra cash.
Leesa...you are almost done! Wow! Way to go! Too bad your rads were cancelled today but one more day isn't too bad! So glad you are more at peace right now with your situation. It will get better.
Susan...it sounds like you're off to a good last year. It will go fast!
Connie...please join us for the Grant Park Race if at all possible. Who else wants to walk???
Hello to all of you! Now that I'm resigned to the fact that I'm going to have to use my laptoop exclusively for awhile, I'll try to post more often.
Rita
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Good evening from soggy South Elgin! Glad this is only the remnants of Gustav!Jule.....WooooHoooo!!! No Mo Chemo!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!!!! When you start to feel better....you will stay that way!! I so remember my last one....I was so glad it was all behind me. Let us know when your surgery is decided....about what time frame are you looking at? Where are you having your surgery?
Brenda....glad you are doing well....but please don't overdo. Take whatever time you can squeeze in for yourself right now. You had major surgery and you need to recoop!!!!! Please post when you can re: your next step. We are here, should you need us!
Rita....can't believe a virus got in AND you have to pay more money to get rid of it! But....can't help but wonder what I would have done without a computer and the internet with this disease! It made it so much easier...or maybe much harder now that I think about it! I spend WAAAAAAY too much time on the web in the beginning.
Leesa....you are thisclose to being done! And I bet you get much bigger tips than those young whipper-snappers!
Laura....how's Lance doing? How's the goat?
Jackie...loved your teacher quotes. I copied them and gave them to my husband to put up at school - hope you don't mind! I did give you the credit tho!!!!
Hope everyone is doing well....having my bil mamm tomorrow. A bit nervous (OK...a lot) but I did everything I could last year so I am hoping for a good report. I saw on the network news about the new MBI tests...picks up 3x as many tumors as mamm's...they are working on this test so keep your fingers crossed that one day soon this will be available for all of us! And don't forget the "Stand Up for Cancer" programming on tomorrow night at 7pm...should be a good one!
Take care everybody!
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Wendy....I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. HUGS! How well I understand your apprehension! I think that just comes naturally with the cards that we have been dealt. Good luck! Will you have the results tomorrow or do you have to wait for them? Please let us know as soon as possible so we share your peace of mind.
Rita
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RASH
I guess a fish oil pill from a new bottle gave me a rash all over, belly, back, knees, breast cancer armpit big time...itch itchy....i see on google that it could be from the pill i took.
anything to take? i will go try benadryl and see if that helps. dang it!
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John O'Donohue
One of the most beautiful gifts in the world is the gift of encouragement. When someone encourages you, that person helps you over a threshold you might otherwise never have crossed on your own.
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Hi Girls!
Wendrew - Good luck with the bi-lats...the odds are truly in your favor...try to remind yourself of that.
JulieR - Hope scan day went okay...hang in there...everything's crossed for you!
Leesa - You are almost done girl! Wow...you did good!
Rita - Sorry about all the puter probs...it's always something!
Jule & JulieB - Congrats to both of you!
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Hope you're all doing well..
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WendyTY - I hope you're feeling a little better...
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