Illinois ladies facing bc
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Thanks for the kind welcome. More about me: I'm a freelance writer for the local paper (mostly parenting articles), mom to a four-year-old and happily married for nine years. I had IDC stage IIb, I think--2 lumps, 3/12 nodes with extracapsular extension. 14 exciting months of treatment and delayed left DIEP in July. I'm blogging about my reconstruction experiences and some life stuff beyond that at www.beyond-breast-cancer.blogspot.com. If anyone from the Urbana/Central Illinois area wants to get together sometime, just let me know.
Take Care,
Peg B.0 -
Evening Ladies and I think I forgot to say hi to pegb. I had to go back and find the post so I'm apologisin' now. Hope things continue to go well for you.
Hi to Reader Girl as well. I found your note very interesting. Mainly since I skipped our local block party last year which is usually in October every year as I had just found out I had cancer and was afraid I would be a real dud at a party due to it. It was difficult to talk about it --- especially the first month or so. I was so afraid at the time about what was happening that if anyone else had showed any sort of fear or other somewhat extreme emotion I would have lost it big time....so I tried to focus on other things and not bring it up at all if possible --- though some family members and a couple of really close friends knew what I was running around and getting tests for.
It does sound like you made great choices for yourself which ultimately helped you get through a rugged time w/o too many scars, physical or mental. Way to go --- who could ask for more. It is a personal journey but as you noted----it seems that even a lot of close family members don't know what to say and just don't understand that if you don't or haven't had this disease you may not be much help in the advice department.
Wendy....glad you are back again and that all seems to be on an even keel at the moment. Here's hoping.
Gotta run.....see ya'll tomorrow.
Jackie
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Just a quick hi before I go to work this a.m. Warming up today and next few days and I'm sure glad. We got the furnace ready just in case ( yesterday morning was so brrrr in the house,) but ok today. That is what getting furnaces ready are for....causing a positive weather change. Hope you all have the nicest of days. I'll be back after work.
Jackie
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Hi gals! I'm just popping in quickly to tell you all to have a good weekend. My son and family are coming in tonight for the weekend. It's the first week of the Spoon River Drive and we'll be up and moving early tomorrow to find all those unique craft ideas! Christmas shopping will officially start!
So...I hope Jackie is right about the warming trend as it's always more fun to go from town to town without freezing! LOL
Jackie...I sent you a PM.
Hope everybody is doing well...including Wendy's hubby and that you all have a great weekend.
Catch you later.
Rita
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Just stopping by to say HI! You all are so busy!!! Welcome to the new gals....Sorry you had to find us , but we are here for you 24/7! Hope everyone is dealing w/ treatment ok. Tomorrow is our cancer walk, weatherman promises rain!! ( hope he's wrong!!) My grand daughter has 3 friends joining her, and since we leave around 7 AM she decided a sleepover would be best!!! Just think... 4 girls, 15 & 16 yrs old..... in 1 small bedroom....I don't see a lot of sleep in their future!
I better get busy seems my days off are busier than work days!!
Everyone be happy & stay healthy
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Morning! Chilly but sunny so I will take it! Temps will be in the 70's for most of next week so that will be so nice!
Karin....good luck with the "sleep" over! Hope the showers stay away for your walk.
Blackjack....how are you feeling?
JulieA....so....toilet seat up or down these days?????
Jule/JulieChicago - how are you guys doing?
Rita....I really wish I could join you this weekend! We are still doing the "should I buy a new car or fix the old one" game and I am so tired of it all! Hopefully we will go out and BUY tomorrow! The deals you can get on 2008's are so great I don't think it pays to dump another $1600. into a 5yr old car. So....I guess we will stick around here this weekend. I don't really need any more stuff...but I would love to look!
Reader Girl...nice to meet you! Boy...you sure seem to have a handle on this whole bc thing! You go girl!
Jan...where you at?
Everybody else....hope your Friday is wonderful and sun-shiny and filled with joy and love! Tops down (???? - well, with the heated seat on!),fists up!
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Got my 4 drains out today!!!! It feels so much better - I was in tears last night. I can lift my arms over my head. Feeling good and positive. HAve a great weekend.
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Jule! Yay for no more drains!!!!! I hope you have a wonderful, drain-free rest of your life!!!!!
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Jule-- Wow- I'm jealous! I still have one in and I'm not sure it's coming out this weekend- still draining! aaargh. And he's going to yell at me for "doing too much." As if I have a choice with a child we call "The Tornado!"
Congratulations!
-julie b
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Oh - I hated those drains! I felt soooo much better once I got rid of them. Hopefully, yours will come out soon Julie B.
Rita - what is going on with our Cubbies? I got tickets to the Championship game next Friday. Hopefully, they can pull it back and I get to go. The Sox are not doing well either!
Mich101 - sorry you are having Tamox issues. I will say that I haven't noticed that at all. Hopefully, you can get it figured out.
Have a good weekend everyone!
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OMG....I thought I would fall off my chair laughing about Julie A's toilet seat.... that one is priceless. Hmmm, if I had the problem you do with a 5 yr. old car I would probably get rid of it. It seems a bit "young" to have that problem in the first place so wonder if there is weakness....and how soon would it happen again if so. I tend to spend money slowly at times....but.
Jule....way to go with all four drains gone.....how fantastic for you. Let your life begin.
Julie/Chicago we are all wishing for you to lose your last drain asap and super pronto.
tdbear.....wow---you are brave to take on that many teenagers at once but it's for a good cause and the memories will sure be special ones. Hope you find a little time to rest up this week-end and definitely STAY DRY.
Talk to ya'll later.
Jackie
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Morning! Talk about BRRRRRRRR! 31 on my deck this am at 6! But I am still going out "Z'in" today!Jackie...how many days 'til you leave? I can only imagine how excited you are! And it's not the 5 year old car but rather the fact that he hit a hole in a construction zone and had to replace 2 severely damaged tires immediately and his steering rack was also damaged and that little gem is a $1400. repair and do we really want to do that? If however he doesn't buy the stinkin' jeep today I do not wish to discuss this matter and he can just get the d**n thing fixed. This is the guy remember who has been looking into a new cell phone FOR TWO FRICKIN YEARS!!!!! MEN!!!!! (See Susan...such a loving relationship we have......)
Smerf....is son settled in his new digs? What happened with your leaking ceiling?
Laura....I did laugh my butt off when I opened your card. I put them away for a "rainy" day! What time are you and I meeting up next Friday? As I don't have a special shirt I will just wear my ribbon pin.
Connie....how are your leaky windows? I'm not counting on anything but the general mgr. for my builder is going thru the archives to find out who exactly put in these windows and skipped a HUGE step...then he will come out with a crew and check it out and said we would go from there. Not too sure what that means....but at least they have not dismissed the problem which in today's day and age....I am somewhat hopeful. Somewhat.
Jule/JulieChicago.....how are you progressing? What is the next step/steps, if any for you guys?
HEY...JULIE A....stop being such a newlywed and post some pics! C'mon...surely hubby goes to work sometime!
Leesa....haven't heard from you in such a long time. Are you OK? How is dear Vic?
Blackjack....are you finally on the mend?
Jan....how are you feeling?
Mich101....did you get a chance to see the doc yet?
Rita...have fun this weekend and buy some "stuff" for me!
Karin....are you surviving the weekend?
Off to have some extra caffeine....hope you all have a super Saturday! And don't worry....the Cubbies will come back and win the next 3! C'mon.....it COULD happen! It happened once before in the last 100 years......
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Marian Wright Edelman:
You're not obligated to win. You're obligated to keep trying to do the best you can every day.
Mornin'----how's everyone????? Warming up today but sure cold up North----Lordy at 31 it could snow. Yuk...and I know it's not going to which is the only reason I would dream of saying such a thing so please don't hit me too hard.
Lots to do today. Dh still trying to figure what gives with the truck. Good thing he is a former mechanic ( factory trained ) but it still is a matter of starting with the most logical and working till you get it fixed. Specially these days as he was trained in the days when you opened the hood and could actually see a pattern to what was going where and there were a few wide open spaces---you could see the ground......sure can't now.
Almost time to go to California.....12 days away. Been waiting a long time, but so has everyone. It is going to be so fantastic to get to see everyone that I haven't seen for years. It's a dream come true for me and I am still in awe that LIFE works out the details of what you really need and want --- of course I never knew I would have to be patient for 17 years but I think that is what it means to accept things as perfect the way they are----because for the moment you are in --- or in this case, the 17 years, things were the way they were meant to be. When the time became right that conditions could change for the better --- for everyone, then they did and produced a desire that was a bit dormant in a niche in my heart just waiting for possibilities.
So often it is hard to be silent inside in acceptance of what is going on. I have often felt ( so much harder for it to happen though ) that when you completely accept --- w/o our judgments that we so often make a part of it, then change is possible and will come when the time is right. The only way out of something is right smack dab through the middle of it and often that is the difficult way.
Well, hope you all have a gorgeous Saturday.
Jackie
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Oh my! So many posts and I cannot keep up. Nice to meet the "new" people!
Rita, I will always remember that Spoon River trip. I just love being in the country and that iis what I remember. I also remember funnel cakes (yum).
Michelle, you have been on my mind. I just haven't stopped long enought to post. I have had three root canals in five days. I am maxing out on my dental insurance. I need to get it all done before I retire as then I do not have dental insurance. At the rate things are going, I may not have teeth! I have always had problems with my teeth and I suspect the chemo or the cancer or both did a number. I still face so many procedures.
Anyway, Michelle, I faced very bad anxiety problems, mostly in the form of very traumatizing night terrors. I awoke feeling like I was very ill simply because the dreams were so awful that they wracked havoc on my mind and body. I still dream something fierce, but they are not so frightening. I cannot blame arimidex, but who knows. I was finally placed on an anti-depressent drug and something called traxodore at night. I no longer need the latter which is very strong and I only take 1/2 pill of the antidepressant during the day. I have no regrets as I was very uncomforatble and frankly desperate. The pills do not help with weight loss efforts, a problem I also face, yet I needed to do something. If I recall, you are very thin and weight is not an issue.
Anyway, do nor dismiss the medication if you are truly uncomforatble. It is not forever. I really think anxiety breeds anxiety and the vicious cycle grows stronger unless you do something to break it. Good luck.
Susan
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Morning! Isn't this a lovely pic? I would so love to be sitting right there, with my coffee!Jackie....you, once again, are so right. To get to the "good stuff" we have to slog right thru the mud. But in the end....it is always so worth it!
I guess I have to say it....wait til next year! Oh well........time to take my sign out of the window. Poor Cubs.
Susan....in our school district we can continue our insurances, for a price of course! It might be worth a phone call to HR and check on this! 3 root canals and you have more procedures to come???? Yikes.
Time to shower up and then DH wants to go cruisin' as he FINALLY decided to buy, rather than fix. He is the proud owner of a Jeep Grand Cherokee. We did buy a 2008 tho....we got it so cheap as they are just not selling cars and it stickered so much less than the 2009 and it's the same car. Of course...don't tell him...but I picked this car. With my back and his joints, just so much easier getting in and out of these vehicles rather than a normal car. Of course, I will continue to put up with the pain of my Z! It was so worth it yesterday, driving around with the wind in my hair and NO WIG!!!!
Everyone...have a wonderful Sunday and do something fun with someone you love! Time is fleeting and we need to enjoy every moment!
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Good Morning ......
What a wonderful morning it is. Took a long walk around the lake this am...looks just like Wendy's pic..the water was so calm..what a great day. The leaves are turning up north and the explosion of color is awesome to see. I hope everyone has a great Sunday. As for me I am going to relax by the lake and enjoy the sunshine. We have October fest in Lake Geneva this weekend..so there is lots to do. I had good news that my breast MRI came back ok. They found something in the RT..but told me not to worry so I won't worry about it. So I am good until next year. yeah !!! No more md appts for me. Life is good..so live..laugh..love and enjoy. Life is to short so live it to the fullest and have fun.
Everyone have a great Sunday..
Remember to be healthy..be happy
Blackjack
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Wendy:
I will have me health insurance but not dental. Yep, nearly every tooth in my mouth needs work. We are stalling on some work until after January as then I am in anew fiscal year.
Blackjack, so happy to hear your good news. I do not know what you mean by the RT, but it can't be anything if they said don't worry. You are in a great place and you must feel at peace.
Yesterday we went to a Lake County Forest Preserve in Wauconda. It ws so beautiful. I too love any body of water. Paul and I are just looking (emphasis on JUST) at lakefront property. Does anyone know anything about GREEN LAKE in Wisconsin? Anyway, the preserve has a museum with these uncanny photographs of soldiers. It traces, through photography,all wars when photography was possible; so the Civil War to the current war in Iraq. I know we live all over the place, but if you are near Wauconda, go to the museums!
Have a great Sunday.
Susan
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"The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences."- Eleanor Roosevelt
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Good morning/day......I am on late as it's nearly noon. Had to take
Dh to work in Mt. Vernon--truck still not running. Then I raked some nuts. Will go wash my filthy car in a while. Probably put something in the crock pot so I can do all the things I want too and wear myself out too much to want to cook after. A great time to be in love with your crock-pot.Hmmm, I like Jeep G. Cherokees. I like most suv's for the reason they are easy to get into and as a bonus so many of them can carry huge items that most cars would not be able too. Also, you tend to sit a little higher and it seems to me that I see out better ( but I see out the same, just from a small bit higher up ) and it gives me a little more sense of comfort and control.
Susan, you probably love the water because it has a spiritual essence. It tends to calm and soothe us just because it is there --- it tends to remove us from our cares and woes and to let us drift with it ---- each ripple of the waves releases negative energy within us and we are if we think about it calmer and calmer as we stand listening to the little water sounds and looking at the sun making parts of the ripples glisten as they move up and down. It is one of the reasons I chose to be living where I do.....I love the peace of the woods, but it is the water that is there as well that makes me feel alive and worthwhile. If ever there is a time to do nothing it is when you are standing near a body of water and allow yourself to become a part of it as if definitely helps you release negativities, whatever they are.
I'm on to my day......I don't want to waste it either because if a mite chilly this a.m. it's still warming nicely and I'll enjoy being outdoors. Talk to ya'll later.
Jackie
spell-checker says negativities is not a word---well, I need it anyway so I'm making it one.
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Hi Ladies,
Sorry I've been so scarce - just been so busy with things at home, and b-days, and name changing, blah blah blah....
Wendy, I am happy to report that my hubby NEVER ever leaves the toilet seat up. LOL!!!
I haven't posted any pics because I haven't even gotten pics to my family yet, lol.
Saw my PS on thursday - going to plan my for my exchange surgery very soon, possibly on Halloween! Can't wait to just get it over with.
Welcome to the new ladies - so glad you found the IL gang!!
I'm off to shower & watch the Bears game. Hope they do better than the Cubs. Ugh.
Hugs, JulieA
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Hi girlz...just popping in to say HEY! Hope you all made the most of this dreary, damp fall day. I have been a BUM all day...although I did clean my garage and do some laundry...in my jammies! lol I'll check back tomorrow...have a great evening!
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Good Evening Ladies...
Is everyone having a great Sunday...did you watch those Bears...Go Bears !!
Jackie...you said water is spiritual essence and I have to agree with you. I boat on the lake all summer and I feel like a new person. The calm waters..the birds..the fishermen..nature at its best. Last summer when I was in rads..my depression was so bad because I could not be on the boat..but the minute I was done I headed for the water and I became a new person again. So yes to releasing of negatitives within us.
Susan..RT means right side. Just my medical abbrv's. Green Lake is in the middle of Wisc. and I heard that it has great fishing. I don't know how far it from Chicago but everyone I talked to says it is very pretty up there. I am near Lake Geneva and that Lake is so beatiful and clear. We boat on it all summer. You may want to check it out. Let me know.
JulieA..glad to see that the newlyweds are very happy and busy. Hope your exchange goes well for you.
Wendy..men and their cars. I know what you mean..my dh had a new car for every year we are married. Buy and sell was his motto until I put my foot down lol. Now he has to keep it for 5 yrs. lol
Laura..how is Casa going.. all most done.. yeah for you.
Off to dinner..just wanted to stop by and ck in.
Have a great evening and stay dry....
Blackjack
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Susan-I am really sorry to hear about your root canals. Thank you for your input on my anxiety issue. It helps to reassure me that I don't need to live like this and that there is something out there that will help me. I see the doctor this Tues.
I am one who also loves the water. It is so calming and peaceful.
I must have missed some earlier posts. I'm going back to read them now.
Wishing everyone a wonderful week and welcome to the new ladies.
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Morning!I agree with you guys....I love the water. I can and do, if I get a chance, just sit and stare at it for hours. People always ask me what I do in Hawaii since I've been there almost 20x - I sit on a beach and watch the waves. When I can't get to a beach, I drive over to the Fox River and just sit and watch. For some reason It settles my mind and lets me think clearly and I always am able to work things out should I have something on my mind. If I don't, the water just makes me happy. My goal has always been to live waterfront, or at least within walking distance. I think being able to get up every morning and have coffee while watching moving water would be the best. Maybe some day is what we always say but you know something? Someday is here...and that is at least one thing I am thankful to bc for. I don't want to waste my time on people/things that just don't matter to me, Life's so short - and I am making it my goal to have happy days, every day. We aren't promised tomorrow so I want to go to bed each night, knowing that my day was the best that I could have.
Gee.....where did all that come from?????? Obviously I am in need of a trip to the River!!!! Everyone....have the BEST day!
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PS: I got to drive the new Jeep yesterday. It is now my mission in life to convince Tom that it would be better if he took the Outlander and I drive the Jeep as I would put much less mileage on it and take better care of it.
So far he is not falling for it.......
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Harry Emerson Fosdick:
Nothing else matters much -- not wealth, nor learning, nor even health -- without this gift: the spiritual capacity to keep zest in living. This is the creed of creeds, the final deposit and distillation of all important faiths: that you should be able to believe in life.
How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.
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Mornin' and I'm a little late again. I looked and looked for a quote and found a couple. I'm so happy that so many of you experience what I do when I am around water. For those of you who might not, there is probably something else that affects you this way. I am my most alive when I can become one with the water.......there I can let go of the slings and arrows and every day hurts and upsets.....they become nearly nothing and certainly not remembered or focused on with any clarity. That is when you become most alive --- when you can get so far OUT of yourself that you are just alive but w/o burdens of any kind----and the water rocks you gently while great healing ( not of your physical aspects, whatever they may be ) but of the mental pain we take in due to all the upsets, ill health, loss of jobs, loved ones or whatever makes an impact. Most of this pain though mental is just as hurtful to us ( leaves little sore places all over ) as any we take on from injuries or illnesses we have or our loved ones have. There have been some very great sages like Buddha ---- if any of us were meant to be that.....we would already be, but it's never too late to discover whatever ( for many, many it's water ) tends to heal you as much as you can be mentally..... ( that tends to really help you physically as well ) and to use it as often as you can to re energize and regroup yourself.....I do believe that we are ALL better in every way when we can let go of the stresses that you pick up from living in this world.....and that you will do better in all aspects of your life if you can do this.
Oh wow ---- I'm carried away again. I will go away and come back later.
Jackie
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Good morning gals!
Wendy your daily pictures have been just lovely! I love the water, too. I was raised in a lazy river town and we spent alot of time near the river. Now I have the creek behind my house, which is so peaceful until it decides to invade my back yard!
I just spent an enjoyable weekend with my son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons. We had so much fun on the Spoon River Drive and I found some neat Christmas presents to put in my stash. I'm also excited because they told me that we would have another addition to our family in early April. (You can relate to this, can't you, Susan???) Anyway, I always hate to see them leave. Our next gathering will be at my house for Thanksgiving, though so that's not so bad, I guess.
Now my house is in shambles. The windows all have little hand prints on them. The cat has finally come out of hiding, and I have laundry and lots of clutter to reorganize. Guess I know what I'm doing today!
It sounds like everyone is doing pretty well and that's certainly good news.
Now the Cubs, Connie..........that's a different story. I don't know when I've been this disappointed. I really did think this was our year........spoken like a true Cub fan, eh? I can't believe that a team can look so good during the regular season and then show up in the play offs and perform like they did! YUCK!
Well, it's off to start tackling the house and laundry. Have a good day, ladies!
Rita
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Rita - I missed the Spoon River event!
I cannot believe how time is flying...bummer! ----------------------------------
Well it's official! My CASA classmates and I were sworn in this morning at the Juvenile Court House! It was exciting. Tomorrow night is my last class (other than in service training every few months). AND - tomorrow night is when we will all be assigned to a case! S-C-A-R-Y but it will be quite rewarding! The 6 week training went so fast!
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Jackie - I bet you're getting excited!...
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With all this talk about water...I think I will just HAVE to take a loooooooooooong, hot bath tonight! lol
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Wendrew - You are sooooooooooo funny about your dh's new car...I agree - less mileage, less gas...it's a no brainer! lol
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We still need a couple of volunteers to work the Komen fundraiser on Saturday night in Algonquin. It's 5:00pm to 8:30pm...please let me know if you are available!
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