Illinois ladies facing bc
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chat line
remember me included, is there a link to chat line, never did it. ??????????????????
i can do tuesday, 830 departure for vball but not thursday. I am planning on dec 8th if something doesnt come up. Hopefully I'll be DONE with work! I've been _skipping_ a lot of vball for work, but now that i'm in swing, vball is M-Thur evenings.
Kater
Sick Days from Work
Ditto on sick days. I got the money, but zap, will you get money for them?
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Morning! Boy it's cold...I was just thinking that this time last week I was in shorts, driving the convertible with the top down! Yuck. Or as Julie A says..."blech".
Susan.....I know you are dedicated so how about this....you stay until 11 or thereabouts...and then go off to your "bc appt". Truthfully...Rita's so right. Your boss won't care that you take a day off, or 10! Just let them know ahead so they can get the "good" subs. Now that....they appreciate!
WendyTY.....YAY!!!!!! Chemo's done. Now when you start feeling better...you will stay that way! looking forward to meeting you on the 8th.
Laura....when are we coming for dinner? How great it is that your hubby cooks...and I don't mean bringing home take-out which is my hubby's idea of cooking.
Sorry this is so short but lots to do today....stay warm!
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that old saying:
NO ONE EVER FELT BAD AFTER DYING .. THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE WORKED MORE.
something like that!
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Hi everyone,
Looking forward to Dec. 8th!
Jackie, here's a thought: Is there a bus that runs from near you to Macomb? I could pick you up in Macomb, then you can go with me when I go to Bloomington to pick up Rita, WendyTY and Ginny. My car comfortably holds 5 so there is plenty of room. If it would involve coming the 7th, we have plenty of extra bedrooms and you would be welcome to stay here.
Mary Jane
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Damn it all already. I got kicked off after a great post I was gonna do. Tried to duplicate it and got kicked off again. So, short version...
COUNT ME IN ON DEC 8th. Dress code? Jeans? Dress? Suit? (No November?)
Wendy TY? was that your mohawk picture?
You have way bigger kahunas then I do - go you! (I'm oversensitive about my hair.)Congrats to everyone finishing treatments! I'm still confused as hell about finishing mine. Not sure how to function without sleeping all week or being at the hospital every day. But we all find our way. Esp. here with the fantastic group of strong supportive women!
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Happy **cold** Monday to everyone!
Just a quick hello - not much is up over here. Taking is easy still....
Congrats WendyTY - chemo is DONE!! Wahoooo
I plan on coming on 12/8 - not sure if I'll be there to actually partake in the feast, but I would like to see all of you lovely ladies no matter what!
Have a great day everyone - JulieA
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Hmmmm, now I'm getting a bit confused.....is Macomb closer than Bloomington. Figured I could drive the two hours there or so.......then go on from there with someone else because I don't think I would do too well in the burbs of Chicago.
Night driving is always a bit of a challenge for me so thought I'd use 51---- traffic is not as spaced as on the Interstate, but I can drive a little slower if I need to I think.
Worked today which was not usual, but the cash will be very nice. Lots of bills to catch up with now that I'm home from vacation --- sure miss everyone but this will most certainly not be my last visit.
Well need to go make dinner before it's too late to eat. Off tomorrow. That will be nice. Wednesday too. Yay....I need to catch with some house work since I spend last week and week-end taking care of leaves.
Hope you all had a fantastic day.
Jackie
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Hi everyone. I go into tomorrow to get marked up for rads. What does it matter if you have Tamoxifen with rads? The rad onc said I can take the shot (every 3 months to start Menopause) now but should hold off with the Tamoxifen. I can't remember the name of the shot - I thought Femara (sp?) but am not definite. This I would be on for 3 years. The Tamoxifen is for after rads. Does that make sense? also does anyone know if you should limit what you eat prior to the first rads meeting? I think it is to just mark the skin but I didn't know if CT scan was needed, and they did not tell me. Thanks for any info - obviously I am clueless. I tried to call on the way home, but the office was closed:)
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Hi everyone-just a quick stop to say I'm not sure yet if I can make the lunch
. I should know by next week! Stay warm,
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Jule...Food is not an issue with rads either on the first day or when you get your daily zaps! You don't get nausea from it and you can eat whatever you want before you go and after.
Michele...I hope you CAN make the lunch! I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Jackie...Macomb is really a little farther from you than Bloomington. Mary Jane was just thinking that maybe you could get a train into Macomb so you didn't have to drive to Bloomington by yourself and then ride the rest of the way to my house with her. I don't think there is a direct train from Centralia to Macomb, though. I already checked to see if you could get from Centralia to Bloomington on the train and there is not one that goes directly between the two points. She was just trying to find a way to make it easier on you so you didn't have to make the drive by yourself.
Well, I'm off to find my recliner. Catch you all tomorrow after bowling.
Rita
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Just before I go to bed, I wanted to say that you can count on me for lunch on the 8th. Just let me know when and where!
Mich101 - I hope you can go...maybe we can ride together?
Visit to BS and Onco tomorrow. {{{{{{{sigh}}}}}}} My chest has been so tight, I'm thinking that I have a seroma or something. Trust me when I say that I have not been overdoing it. Grandkids came for a visit today and it killed me not to pick them up. It was great to see them...so cute!!!!!
I absolutely LOST IT on Saturday. It's weird, but you'll all understand...I was having "phantom" feeling in my former breast. Then I just started sobbing uncontrollably because I miss my boob!!! And I hate feeling like an invalid. And I feel like I have been mutilated. And on. And on. And on. Spent all day Sat. crying. It was good to have Mom here! OK, Whining is now over! Sorry ladies...I had to tell someone who understands.....
Laura GTO - Received some mail from you that really cheered me up! Thank you so much!
Well, I have to get up early, so I'll go to bed now. I'll let you know what the Dr.'s say tomorrow. I'm hoping to get some sort of timeline for my chemo, and the reason why my chest is so tight.
Hugs to all - Carol
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Hugs and hugs to you Carol and hope all goes well for you today at the Dr.'s. Don't ever be sorry for your meltdowns....who deserves it more. Also, I think it actually makes you stronger...at least I sure felt my doom and gloom vanished pretty much and my resolve to HAVE a GREAT life NO matter what was in it came way up. We have to work at everything, and this is no different and some days you can work at it way harder---but some days you just need a little pity party-----like anything or anyone else you need to mourn what you have lost because it is a BIG DEAL. I am a very firm believer that until you let yourself sink---you will keep fighting the negativeness and have trouble getting the upper hand. When you completely ACCEPT where you are RIGHT NOW --- you can then move away into a better place.
Ok Rita---muddle brain gets it I think. How fantastic of you and Mary Jane to make it easy for me. . I'm hoping sometime very soon to make my test drive to Bloomington. I'm sure I can do that much. I've got to get out and do these things because I'm a grown-up now ( I think ) and this is something I've wanted to accomplish for a long, long time---meet as many of you as I can.
Allrighty then---time to get a move on, on this rainy Tuesday----brrrr, and at least think about getting dressed or something. Had my second cup so no time like the present. All be well.
Jackie
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Whatever enlarges hope will also exhalt courage. - Samuel Johnson
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Hi gals....Just a quick check in!
Carol, what did you find out today? I'm really excited that I will get to meet you at the December luncheon.
Jule...how did the markings for the rads go? Did they do actual tattos or did you get the permanent magic marker and sticker treatment?
Wendy and I did walk our three miles today! We are determined to make this work for us! :-)
Now it's back to the trivia book! I'll check in later to see if we have any news from Carol or Jule.
Rita
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Hi,
Short update- Finally saw PS on Saturday. Everything is healing except for one quarter size area on the underside of the "foob" where the skin is so thin that you can feel the implant ripple underneath. This was also the area the infection ravaged. I asked pointedly-- as one might expect-- is this going to improve? It might, he says. It might not. Um...okay- so where does that leave me? Well- for now- we watch and wait. If it doesn't improve-- he may want to cut out (!!) an ellipse of this very thin skin and suture together the new edges. Another scar. With the two lumpectomy scars, the needle biopsy scar, the two drain scars. I had named this one Igor- but I think I'm going to have to reconsider and rename it/her Frankie (as in Stein).
So I'm officially on watch and wait status.
On the plus side, all stitches are finally out and I have one more day of Cipro. Now I can begin rebuilding everything....
Work is crazy, kids are busy, we have Cub scout meetings, book fairs, turkeys we are supposed to decorate and a birthday party or two. I'm pooped!
-julieb
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thought ya'll might enjoy this.....from a bc surviver from another bc list.
The Rules of Eating Chocolate.
1. If you've got melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly. 2. Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slice& strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want. 3. The problem: How to get 2 pounds of chocolate home from the store in a hot car. The solution: Eat it in the parking lot. 4. Diet tip: Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. It'll take the edge off your appetite and you'll eat less. 5. If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and they will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves. 6. If I eat equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate, is that a balanced diet? Don't they actually counteract each other? 7. Money talks. Chocolate sings. 8. Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger. 9. Q: Why is there no such organization as Chocoholics Anonymous? A: Because no one wants to quit. 10. Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done. 11. A nice box of chocolates can provide your total daily intake of calories in one place. Isn't that handy? 12. If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can't eat all your chocolate, what's wrong with you?
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Good Evening!
Well, here's the scoop: 6 rounds of Taxotere and Cytoxan at 3 week intervals. I will be starting this regimen on 12/2. According to my calculations, I will be finishing chemo in mid-March. I think that this year I will be looking forward to the coming of spring more so than any other year of my life! Dr. says that I can work, but I'm going to take a "wait and see" on that. I found a thread on this board called "Is anyone getting Just Taxotere and Cytoxan", and I will be gathering as much information on these "charming" meds as possible.
I will be coming to lunch on 12/8 no matter how I feel!!!!
Jackie - You are so right! I felt better after I had mourned my missing breast. Sometimes I try to keep up this big facade..."No worries, everything's fine"...blahblahblah. It was a relief, really, to meltdown. Also, cute chocolate rules, and sooooo true! Especially #2!
Rita - I am looking forward to meeting you too!
So, before the onco appt., I had to see the breast surgeon. Do you think that they could have told me that Dr. no longer is keeping an office in McHenry? Even when this appt was made late last week? Noooooooo! So now I will see her tomorrow. Anyway, since I had time to kill, I didn't want to go home just to return an hour later, so I visited work. It was really nice to see everyone. A few sweet comments from my good friends on my new "rack". ( I was wearing a post-surgical foob.) They think it looks great!
Also went to the quilt shop and picked up a few pieces of fabric, just because I deserve them. I'm hoping that one of these fabrics will inspire me to start sewing again.
Mom is leaving to go back to WA on Saturday. It has been such a comfort to have her here, and know that I will always be glad that we had this time together.
Hugs, Carol
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Hi. Back from rad office today. I got marked up with permanent markers today - no tattoos. My first appt is next Monday. I am a bit bummed as it looks like I may be doing tx into the new year. Oh well... I got Zoladex today as well. This is my every 3 month shot. HAs anyone else taken this? I have a stomach that came out of nowhere tonight and I ate pretty lite. I am hoping that it is nothing and not an indication of how I am going to be feeling.
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Mornng! I have an idea that today is not going to be a good day as DH just called from upstairs that both sinks in the MB are backed up....good grief...NOW what did he do???? I don't use that bathroom anymore so I know it's him!
Jule....rads does go fast, just won't seem like it at the time. I didn't need the zoladex so can't help you with that one.
Carol/berrypatch....chemo was NO fun but it too went quickly and then it's over and you know that you did everything you could. Meltdowns are normal and that's what we're here for...you will have more. I think most of us still have them...just not so often anymore. Jackie's right on with her advice....you can't just be happy, perky Carol everyday. Need to hit the bottom with your fears...then you can pick up your head and run into your future. It may not be the future you envisioned for yourself but it will be a good one.
JulieChicago...well, another surgery is not what you wanted to hear but it does sound like something that could fix that area for good. So...if you need another "little" surgery, you need it and then everything sounds like it would be done and okay. Gee...wasn't that a lot of help.
Ooops...just made a fast dash...heard this great wash of water down the drain. Bathroom sinks uncogged themselves. Weird.
LittleC....looking forward to meeting you on the 8th! Your blog is remarkable. I wish now that I had jotted down some of my thoughts from the last 2 years, as well as taken a pic of my bald head. But I just wanted to get thru it all and be normal again. Little did I know that "normal" was going to be so different! OH well.....I would say I'll do it "next time" but oh no, I am so not doing this again! I'm done!
Time to get moving....need to check on those sinks.
OH.....Connie....S.King has a new book out, a collection of stories. I will be picking it up this week and will bring it to lunch on the 8th...now see? You have to come!
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Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true.
-- Robert BraultHi Everyone,
Another great ( actually I think it's going to be gray and chilly ) day to do something fantastic. I think that would be laundry and sweeping if I'm not mistaken. Oh well, whatever keeps me out of trouble I guess. Carol, I'm with you on waiting about the work thing. Taxotere is usually fairly easy on the tummy so that may be the case but as we all react a little differently I would want to KNOW how it feels first. Not sure about the Cytoxan though. I had Adriamycin and Cytoxan and that was a little difficult at times, but hopefully all will be really well for you and I'm starting the good vibes right now.
Julie/C---as you were talking I was thinking skin graft but sounds like there is some extra skin if the spot could be removed and just sewn back up. I hope for you as well that this is basically the last little bump for you, and that life gets better and better now. It has been a bumpy ride for you.
Jule, sounds like all they did at the rads office was mark you ---- so the tummy thing must be from something else. Most people say ( including me now ) that the rads USUALLY don't affect you too much other than skin issues and they give you lotion to use for that. There again though, all are different and you just have to see how it goes. My first day/time for chemo as well as rads was "nerves bundled and ready to fly any which way" but after I got over the initial ( sort of ho-hum ) visit I just went with the attitude that every time I showed up there was one less time to have to deal with later. Hopefully you will find the rads fairly easy ---- especially compared to the chemo.
Well, I'm going to get my day started. Am looking into changing my Internet to Charter Cable. It's cheaper than where I am right now and in the long run I think it will operate a bit smoother. Here I am complaining.....but I originally switched from dial up to wireless and thought I'd always be thrilled. Turns out the wireless service I have ( the owners actually live almost in front of me ) has not turned much of their profits into newer ( IMHO very much needed ) equipment so I have to re-boot when I don't expect too and other little annoyances. I am so much better off than when I was on dial-up, but I have had what I have long enough to complain now --- hey, I'm normal.
Ok, I'll be checking in with ya'll later.
Jackie
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Hi everyone! Nice to see you all posting.
Jule - I had the same issue with my rads - I so wanted to be done in 2007, but my last rad was on 1/2/08!
This week it is one year on Tamoxifen for me! 4 more to go! Wow - that year really seemed to go fast.
Sounds like a big group for the 8th. Should be fun!
Thinking of all of you in chemo and rads!
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Hi ladies. I haven't posted here in a long time, but I do lurk every now and then. It always makes me smile to read how wonderfully supportive people can be for each other.
I'm in the burbs like a lot of you. Right now, I'm 3 years out from the original diagnosis and roller-coaster of surgeries and treatments. I'm on Femara now, after switching from Aromasin, and finally having some relief from the associated joint pains. My "girls" are reconstructed, lifted and supposedly DONE, but I am considering one more surgery to revise them. Now to find a different plastic surgeon who's IN my insurance network this time. I don't know if MD recommendations are allowed on the forum, but if anyone has someone they'd like to recommend in the Chicago area, I'd love some suggestions.
I'm going to make a point of checking in here more often. I admit that sometimes when I read this forum, I get a little depressed. I can't help but feel both empathy and sympathy for everyone. But the supportive atmosphere, and knowing that there are others who understand the hellacious journey of it all makes this a wonderful place that I'd like to participate in more.
Best to all!
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Hi ladies. I haven't posted here in a long time, but I do lurk every now and then. It always makes me smile to read how wonderfully supportive people can be for each other.
I'm in the burbs like a lot of you. Right now, I'm 3 years out from the original diagnosis and roller-coaster of surgeries and treatments. I'm on Femara now, after switching from Aromasin, and finally having some relief from the associated joint pains. My "girls" are reconstructed, lifted and supposedly DONE, but I am considering one more surgery to revise them. Now to find a different plastic surgeon who's IN my insurance network this time. I don't know if MD recommendations are allowed on the forum, but if anyone has someone they'd like to recommend in the Chicago area, I'd love some suggestions.
I'm going to make a point of checking in here more often. I admit that sometimes when I read this forum, I get a little depressed. I can't help but feel both empathy and sympathy for everyone. But the supportive atmosphere, and knowing that there are others who understand the hellacious journey of it all makes this a wonderful place that I'd like to participate in more.
Best to all!
*editing - because apparently I am a bit rusty.
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Hi Girls! Hope you're all doing well. Sounds like - I think - that all of you are doing well.
Julieb - Hang in there... I hope everything heals really soon! Have you thought of trying any compound meds? There's a pharmacy in Roselle that will whip up a brew... alot of people swear by it. There's also one in Wauconda.
Carol - Just curious...did your doc say why you won't be getting Andrimyacin? It's good that you have a game plan... my started in late Oct... I was sicker than a dawg thru Thanksgiving and Christmas, but managed to make the most of both. there's a med available for just about every s/e. I'm glad you're joining us on the 8th! It will do you good to be surrounded by a savvy group of survivors. I think my house is right along your route... if you want to come here, maybe you, me JanC and LittleC could all meet here and pool it to the rest.
JanC & LittleC - Do you girls want to meet at my house on the 8th and pool it?
rene23 - My sister-in-law is a home health nurse. She knows I haven't had reconstruction yet (probably never will), so she called me last week to tell me that she took care of a woman who had recently had reconstruction, bi-lateral. She told me she could not believe they were NOT "REAL". She went on to say it was the absolute best boob job she's ever seen in her career. And she wanted to give me his name and number. Although I will most likely never have reconstruc...I am going to have a consult w/him - just in case I change my mind. His name is Dr. Geoffrey Fenner - 847 716 2400. Of course it's subjective, but worth a consult - if he's on your ins plan. I was very impressed with his credentials when I went to his website: http://www.fennerplasticsurgery.com/ Best wishes to you!
Wendrew - OMG - hope the sinks are still draining! lol
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Hope you're all having a great evening! Keep warm... or cool - depending on the temperature of your hot flashes! lol
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HI Girls,
Hope everyone is having a great evening. Just wanted to let you know that the Nov. Lunch Bunch was to be on Weds. Nov.19..but since it was very close to the Dec.8 outing.. I made an executive decision to cancel it. If you still want to have it please let me know. I know that this is a busy time for everyone with the holidays right around the corner. I am open to suggestions.. just let me know. I will let you know about time and place for Dec 8 next week.
I am off to make some dinner..will ck back later.. take care
Blackjack
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Hi everyone... just came by to catch up on everyone & everything & say hello!!
HELLO
Still taking it semi-easy, trying to be patient & heal. Emotions are really up & down lately..... I think the weather does not help at all.
And my skin is breaking out again, badly. I figured something out - after each surgery, I am put on antibiotics & my skin clears up beautifully. Then, the acne comes back with a vengeance (rebound zits!). The Tamoxifen seems to also be contributing.... any suggestions, ladies ?
Julieb - I'm sending good vibes for you to just HEAL & be able to move on. I know it's been a real p.i.t.b. for you.
Carol - glad to see you here posting & on the mend. I know it's such a hard time right now, just after sugery. It's so nice that your Mom was able to come.
Connie - Happy Tamoxiversary!!! LOL!!!
Wendy, Laura, Jackie, Rita, Michele - and everyone else... I see ya & am waving to you too!
Take care everyone.. Hugs, JulieA
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Hello, Illinois ladies, I just wanted to mention in case it would help someone-tomorrow Thursday at 6-730 there is a lymphedema class in northbrook at the cancer wellness center. There will be someone there from the lymphedema clinic. I believe it is no cost, just call there to sign up! take care, Brenda
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LauraGTO - Thank you for that referral and link. I work in a Dr's office in Arlington Heights, but I'm not familiar with a lot of the North Shore phsicians. Dr. Feeney does have impressive qualifications, AND he's in-network for my PPO (*woot!*). I think I'll call and set up a consult with him. Thanks again!
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Good Evening Ladies!
Laura - The reason I will not be getting Adriamycin/doxorubicin is because I had congenital heart defects that were corrected by surgery when I was a child. Those drugs are very hard on the heart. I did have an echocardiogram a few weeks ago, and it showed that my heart is OK, but they do not want to risk any problems in the future.
So today, my wig was purchased. I have an appointment for 12/9 to get my head shaved and wig styled. Yes, the day after the luncheon! The reason is that if I let the hair go on it's own, it looks like my birthday will be the day it would probably come out...I really don't want that.
Otherwise, all is well! I hope that everyone has a good rest of the week!
Carol
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Morning!Blackjack....good decision re: the November lunch. Even my life is getting somewhat busy these days. I can still do the 19th tho if you want.....
Berrypatch....looking forward to seeing you on the 8th. Remember my challenge!!!
JulieA....well, at least you figured it out! Hopefully the skin will quiet down. How's the jobhunt going?
Rene23...I understand about feeling depressed when reading these boards. I joined and then I refused to even read anything on the boards for almost 3 months. I was spending my days just reading cancer stuff on the internet and it wasn't healthy. But once I cleared my head a bit, I came back and I am so glad I did. Can't imagine my life without this terrific group of ladies.
Harmonysun...thanks for the tip re: the le class. I can't make it but I am going to check with our cancer center up here and see if they will be offering anything like this.
LittleC....I think you were the one that mentioned something about a dress code for lunch? We don't have one but that might depend on where Blackjack picks. Myself...I am planning on jeans with a nice sweater. If it's a bit dressier I will do slacks.
No more problems with the drains. Don't know what that all was and DH just keeps saying "I didn't do it" which of course means, yes he did.
No word on DH's niece's mamm as her appt is not until next Tuesday. I guess in Fl waiting for these tests is normal. Takes almost a month to get in. I know when my SIL has a stereotactic bx some years ago it took 3 weeks to get results. I just couldn't put up with that wait.
OK...gotta run. Will check back later for Jackie's words of wisdom. Congrats Connie...only 4 more years! Altho I don't like the se's of these drugs very much the thought of doing no tx's or taking no drugs is a bit frightening...I like my little bit of a safety net!
Have a good one!
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