Take our poll: How are you feeling as we near the New Year?
Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
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Thanks Mary. I was trying to post an avatar. Photobucket has an option to resize to an avatar (which I did), but it still didn't work.
I am at work now, but I will try the other site tonight at home. Thanks!!0 -
Hi again...
Well...I guess I won't need to borrow an 8-year old after all....I figured out photobucket...I am so proud. Now I just need to sit down and load a bunch of stuff but it's house-cleaning day so I need to get off my butt...
Rita ... glad you are almost thru rads...why again did they sandwich your chemo? I may have missed those posts. Hope you are truly and finally done.0 -
Connie A picture for an avatar needs to be from a file on your computer. It won't allow you to copy/paste the IMG code and copy/paste in the upload an avatar section.
I just tried this to see if it works and it does: I upload a picture of my dog to photobucket, resized it to an avatar size then right clicked the picture and chose 'save picture as' to a file on my computer. My avatar is the resized picture uploaded from my computer.
Perfect size, no distortion.
Mary0 -
kats -
I put this in my previous post, but just in case you missed it, here it is again... http://admphoto.ifp3.com/iphoto/main2.cfm
Let me know what you think - (after you see it).
Rita -
You're on the home stretch - almost done - just in time for summer. My last radiation treatment was one year ago today!
wendyk & connie -
It will be nice to see some new faces here!0 -
Rita- Tomorrow is #3 of 12 (Taxol/Herc). Should be done July 24, then on to rads.
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Newbie here...so bear with my mistakes. I live in Manteno, Illinois and have my chemo in Joliet. Just finished my 4th and final AC treatment today. Thank goodness. Next it will be either Taxol or Taxotere 4 DD cycles. Then on to radiation. My diagnosis came in March. Left side lumpectomy, sentinal node biopsy negative. Stage 2 with a 4.8 tumor size. ER negative. I'm sure I am forgetting something. Dr.s say go after this aggressively and I am doing my best. I am so happy to find this site where I can read how others are doing. I'll get better with this lingo I hope. My best wishes to all of you.
Pat0 -
Welcome to the Illinois thread, Pat. I think you will find that the ladies on this thread are awesome. They have helped me tremendously as I've gone through this journey.
Congratulations on getting through the AC part. From what I hear, that is the worst so you're on the downhill slide now. How long does it take to get to Joliet from Manteno?
Tell us a little more about yourself. Do you work outside the home? Have a hubby? Kids? Grandkids?????? What do you do for entertainment?
We're so glad you found us. Please come back often and post. We Illinois gals stick together pretty well.
Rita0 -
Thanks for your response. Lets see....I am a R.N. which you would think make this whole thing easier...but it has been a tough time so far. It is a about an hour drive to the chemo center....but I work in Joliet as well. I have one son John who is 30 y/o and helps me a lot but is having a hard time with all this. I just try to get the day to day things done at work and not dwell on this CA so much while there. I enjoy surfing the net. I purchased a computer which changed my life about 6 years ago. I received Decadron and Aloxi with my AC treatment today so I call this my up all nighter. I will be glad to get the first dose of taxol done. At least I knew what to expect from AC. Thanks for letting me chatter. Pat
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Hi Pat...welcome and sorry to welcome you! Wow...already thru AC and starting your Tax journey...half way thru!!!!
We Il gals are tuff......we are planning (or trying to plan) a get-together...can you come too?
Jan...worried about you...how did your Thursday go? I go for my rad sim tomorrow, just after my 2D-Echo...well...it is what it is, right girls? Hopefully I can continue my Herceptin.
Heck...I'm happy that Mary got me thru photobucket.com!!
Did we decide on 6/30? And where?0 -
Pat -
Welcome aboard...hang in there, you can do it!
wendyk -
Cute avatar!
Mich101 -
Does Herceptin have the same side effects as chemo? I hope not, that's a long time for treatment.0 -
Hi Pat, sorry you have to go through this too, but glad you found us.
Sorry about not posting more last week. The Mother's Day Y-me race was great- over 30,000 people! I posted pictures at my blog: http://breastcancerchronicles.wordpress.com/
Radiation: I did meet with the nurse, who gave me BARD cream and Aquaphor. She again stated that the doctor did not recommend cornstarch, etc. Said the best thing to use are very gentle bottom/ baby wipes with no scent or alcohol, a little bit of aloe is okay. Said I could use those on my underarm as much as I wanted, just be gentle rubbing. I'll do it her way for now and see what happens.
Let me just say how much I hate and despise this process. While the staff and doctor are nice enough, I feel like a big slab of meat being tugged this way and that to get me into position. Then being left alone in a massive cold room and hearing/seeing that whirring machine creeping over you. So cold and impersonal. Yuck- at least I felt cradled and comforted in the chemo room. I know this is only minutes, not hours, but the whole thing is giving me the willies.
Laura- that's a neat photo site with the "fairies", I can see why little girls would love that.0 -
Pat,
How I admire nurses! I could never deal with their daily chores..........but we certainly need them! Give me a classroom of 30 unruly junior high kids any day!
I relate well to you and your son. I have one son who is 33. He lives in Minnesota and has a long trip back to Illinois and he didn't handle it well, either. He came back for my first oncologist appointment, the second surgery to get clear margins, and my first chemo treatment. Each time he had a case of the "flu" (better known to me as a bad case of nerves). I think they want to be able to make it better for us and feel helpless in this situation. He has adapted better to the situation as time and treatments have progressed here. We're just so lucky to have them.
Let us know how you do on the Taxol.
Rita0 -
Laura, Are you feeling any better? My thoughts and prayers have been with you. Although I'm sure they're not really needed, a little extra insurance never hurts!
Please let us know what you find out.
Wendy K. I love your new pic. I will be looking for somebody just like that when we have our get-together so you'd better practice up on your hula techniques!!!!! The rads sim will go just fine....nothing to it!
JanClare....I'm so glad they gave you something for the skin. YOU NOW HAVE A PLAN!! I know what you mean about the machine, the big, cold room, and the tugging and pushing that they do to position us on that table. The first few times I entertained myself by counting the seconds that the machine buzzed. Then I imagined tiny invisible pac-men swarming out of the machine and gobbling up any stray or stubborn cancer cells. (Can you see why I had no trouble at all with 8th graders??????) Believe me, it's pretty intimidating and strange at first but it will get better. In a few weeks, you will be waltzing in like you own the place and it will become more routine. The days off on the weekend will become even more valued and you'll mark off the days until you can leave it all behind. Hugs go out to you...the whole journey S**** but we can do it. Just keep coming back and venting when you need to do it and we'll help you through this the best we can. Believe it or not, my left breast is now sun-tanned to a nice brown. Guess I won't be going topless though because the right one certainly doesn't match!
Hope all the treatments are going well. If you haven't cast your vote for the get-together date, scroll back and find the survey and get it done!
Catch you all later.
Rita0 -
Hi there Illinois ladies! I know this is the Getting Through Treatment thread, and I am done with treatment, but I am in Illinois and just wanted to say hi, and send some wishes for successful completion of treatment!
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Thanks again to Mary!! I finally got my picture up!
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And a neat picture it is!! I'm so glad you posted one, Connie. Now we have to encourage a few others to get their pics on here!
Rita0 -
Hi All-
Another thread I was on pointed out the post by Melissa and Tami re: Improving Our Discussion Boards (It's the 1st post under 'Help me get through treatment') Looks like some changes are coming?0 -
Hi Girls!
WHERE'S NICKI?
JanClare -
Wow...your walk photos are great! And it's so sweet your "3 boys" were by your side! Gotta love 'em! We should meet again...if not for walking, maybe for lunch.
Rita -
Thanks so much. I am feeling so much better. I have been on meds now for 3 and a half days and it has totally helped. The Hiatal Hernia acted up - and it was a red flag that I need to take something regulary for it - not just once in a while. The Uterine biopsy results haven't come back yet, but my Dr. doesn't seem worried, but I still have an abdom. ultra sound scheduled for Thurs. AM.
Connie -
Your avatar is great!
Gemsa -
I'm beyond treatment too...you're welcome anytime. We're all at different stages of our journey!
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Have a great evening Girls! Looking forward to our get-together!0 -
Well Ladies, I've been gone for awhile trying to keep my head above water. Since my diagnosis if Invasive Ductal Cancer Grade III, HEr 2 +, ER and PR neg. I have had a sentinel Node Biopspy that came back benign. I had my power port put in. I had to have a PET/CT Scan to see if there were any hotspots, that test came back other than what they expected. I was then schduled for an MRI of the spine. I had 3 series. Thorasic, Lumbar and Pelvic. I also had the Mugua scan today to make sure my heart can handle 12 months of Herception. Everytime we think it's time for me to start Chemo they come up with another scan for me to do. Will the endless scanning stop?
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Good Morning Everyone: Well, I have been down and out with a cold. This will be my fourth cold since November, so I am pretty sick of getting sick. I swear chemo depressed my immune system.
Lisa: I was so frustrated with my scans before treatment. My surgeon wanted baseline scans of the bone, liver, and chest. Now that its over, Im glad I got the baselines, but I sure hated the worry that went along with every test.
Laura: Good luck with your test on Thursday. Im here, just a sick old lady at the moment.
Mich: I read the post about the changes. If it gets rid of all the spam that manages to find its way to our threads, then I will be happy. bc.org is always trying to improve and enhance these boards for us - so Im not gonna worry about it - just go with the flow.
Gemsa: Good to see you post. This is just all of us ladies in Illinois trying to help each other through every stage of this disease.
Well, my time is up. Gotta go take a shower. I just broke out in a sweat, so many Im on the last leg of this cold.
Hope you all have a great day.
Nicki
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Hi Ladies,
I just wanted to say Hi and know that I have been following you all on your journeys thus far. I'm also from IL...Rita, right outside of Rock Falls in a little town called Harmon. I will start my chemo in June and very scared but after reading everyone's experiences, know it will be just fine. I'm 41 and have two young daughters so there's no other choice!
Susan0 -
Welcome SusieSwan! Come back often.
I am well aware of where Harmon is. I was born and raised in Lyndon. My folks moved to Rock Falls when I was in college, but I've been going back to the area ever since.
I am so sorry that you have to make this journey at such a young age, Susan. Once you get going on your treatments, I think you'll lose some of your fear. What type of chemo will you be doing? Will you be able to take the chemo at Community General in Sterling or do you have to travel farther?
You are so right. Our children (no matter what their ages) and in my case, my grandchildren, are the reasons that we move ahead on this journey. If you've been reading this thread, you know Laura's famous saying: We Illinois gals are tough.
I know it is all so mind-boggling and petrifying at first. I was very scared when I walked into the chemo room for the first time, but actually the treatment itself wasn't too bad. I didn't have a port so the worst part was getting the IV in and the chemo nurse got it the first time. The rest of the time, you just sit there. Sometimes it gets long if nobody is sitting there talking to you, but it's painless. You will do O.K.
Nicki, hope your cold is about finished. We've missed you!
Glad you're doing better, too Laura and hope that your test tomorrow goes well.
How are the rest of you gals doing? Keep in touch.
Rita0 -
Susan
I had to post that neither of the get together dates will work for me, the weekends are filled with doing thing/going places with the girls up until mid July. I'll be there in spirit though and will be waiting for pictures to be posted.
Nicki Hope you're feeling better
Laura The fairy photos are beautiful, if it wasn't so expensive to have done I know one of my granddaughter's who's really into fairies would love this.
Rita How's your skin holding up, you're in the home stretch now with rads?
JanClare How are you doing?
Connie I saw your avatar, you look great. I'm glad to have helped.
Mary0 -
Hi everyone!
Mich: Just wondering how you got along with #3. Hope you did well.
Mary, I certainly understand busy but we will REALLY miss you at the gathering. You're such an important person on this thread! Maybe it will work out where you can do the walk with us in the fall.
My skin is holding out pretty well. I golfed 18 holes today after radiation in the ladies league at the club. It got pretty hot out there and I started to sweat. The sweat ran down inside my bra and stung a bit but I dried it off good after the first nine holes and that helped. Tonight you'd never know that I had any problems earlier in the day. I am, however, really tired tonight because I didn't get my afternoon nap. I think the fatigue and the idea that you have to go into the cancer center everyday are the worst parts of the radiation. Next week I start my boosts and of course I have Monday off. That's a real treat. I hope you're doing better with the rads, JanClare. I think of you every time I walk into the rads room. Hang in there. The weeks go by much faster than you expect them to! You can do it.
Well ladies, I'm off to find the easy chair!
Hey Wendy...you never said how you liked the last Grey's Anatomy. Were you as surprised as I was about the wedding? What do you think George is going to do?
Have a great night gals! Catch you all tomorrow.
Rita0 -
Hi girls...
Well, Rita, if ch. 7 had repeated the finale of Grey's like they did all the other ones I could prob. answer your question a little better...ARGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!! so they repeat every other one EXCEPT THE ONE I MISSED???? But to answer your question...I saw enuf...not surprised about the wedding, but surprised that George flunked...NOW WHAT??
Hey SusuieSwan....WELCOME! I love it here!
Mary...you can't make it??? Who will I get to hug re: photobucket.com???
Laura....feeling better?
Rita...forgot...YOU ARE ALMOST THRU RADS...you lucky dog!
Nicki...cold gone?
Lisa...I'm Her2neu+ as well....started H in Jan, and just had my 2nd echo yesterday to check heart function...hope all is well (I have no symptoms).
Am looking forward to the weekend, looks like the weather will cooperate so maybe will take the "Z" out of the garage and "Zoom" up to Dockers in Fox Lake for lunch on Saturday...I am so sure I can convince my DH to do this plus I get to have a beer or 2 and then since my DH doesn't drink I will ALLOW him to drive my baby home. I know Dockers is around some of you guys so if you ever see a black Z convertible with the plate Wendi K...come say "hello"!
I'll be the pretty one with the wig!!!!!0 -
Nicki -
Hope you feel better soon! Are you going to the pub this weekend? Thanks...I hate having to drink 40 0z of water 1 hour b/4 the ultra sound, but I a girl's gotta do, what a girl's gotta do! Hope you feel better soon.
Rita -
I hope you found the easy chair! but knowing you...you did! Thanks...I appreciate your concern about my appt tomorrow.
wendyk -
OMG - what "Z" are you referring to? I love it and I don't even know about it! Is it a 350? Tell me more...and...where is this place in Fox Lake? Would this be a good place for me to drive my GTO to? I live not far from Fox Lake.
Ann -
Where are you? I know...you have been hanging out at Hawthorn Gardens spending mucho deniro!!! LOL And Areganos, sprinkling parmesan! Touch base with us.
Pam -
Where are you? Are you boating on the Lake? Perhaps at Blarneys? LOL Check in with us...
Susie swan -
Welcome!0 -
Hey Laura....
that would indeed be a 350Z, very pretty black on black convertible...my 26th wedding anniversary present. It would have been my silver anniv. pres. but we both had strep!!!!!!0 -
Hi ladies,
Where will this get together be held at? I guess I should have found that out before I said I could go. I hope all is well with all of u. Welcome all new ladies.0 -
Good Morning Everyone! Im still not feeling too well, and now this morning Im having chest pain. I am hoping this is related to my cold - I cannot afford to have another amjor illness.
Laura: I should e going to the pub this week-end. We are celebrating Peggy's birthday on Saturday. But with being sick - I wont know til Saturday when I make my final decision.
Susan: I was so scared when they told me I needed chemo. I would have done anything to get out of it. Having one positive node was my ticket. Anyways, you will do just fine. Chemo is doable and there are so many medications now to help you with your symptoms. You just keep coming back here. We Illinois ladies seem to share a strong bond and WE will help you through this.
Rita and Mary: Just saying hello and hoping you have a good day.
Wendy: Hey Ive been to Dockers! Its a fun place and I hope you have a grand time. Oh and I love Blarneys too.
OK - gotta go. I with catch up with you all later.
Nicki0 -
Morning girls....
Good Luck Laura with your tests....Dockers is in Fox Lake, but actually on Pistakee (sp??) Lake. Go to Route 12 and I think it is Main Street, where the Dairy Queen is on the corner (I think it would be the SW corner??), go 2 blocks and on the L is Dockers...huge deck right on the lake...def. a place to bring your GTO! Haven't ever been to Blarney's...maybe this year.
Nicki....feeling better?
Susan....just finished 6 rounds of TCH 2 weeks ago and I did really well...I drank LOTS of fluids and kept exercising...and took every pill they gave me...only lingering se now is a puffy R ankle due to the taxotere. Why just the R ankle you ask? Even the Dr can't figure that one out...thinks it may be due to the fact I fractured the L 16 years ago, but then you would think THAT one would puff up! Oh...and my hair (hairs??) started to grow the day of my last chemo. I just have fuzz on my head, but I will need to start shaving again prob. next week! And let that be a warning to you girls...keep checking under your arms, never know when that hair is going to start growing again!
Everyone have a great day...today is "cut the lawn" day for me. Aren't I lucky!0
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