Illinois ladies facing bc
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sooooooooooo.....it took me most of this morning but I now have my picture up *rolling eyes* how pathetic am I.....
I am off to Target....that fine French store
I will post the lovely choc shake recipe later today and I will PM you the *seasoned citizen* thread Wendy.....0 -
Created Jan 13, 2007 04:10 am by ritajean
Remove from My Favorite Topics Add email notificationThis is the thread.....I hope this works for anyone who wants to pay a visit....if not let me know and Ill work on it another way for you, there are some really really nice women there, just like we have here, upbeat , positive and very willing to share and help (esp with subject like supplement and weight control and side effects and the ever famous BELLY FAT ) !
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oh my that doesnt look so good.....try this......
the Forum its under is:
Comments, Suggestions and Feature Requests
The title is....
can we have a forum for "older" people with breast cancer
created Feb 7,2009 by Northstar
let me know if I still havent made it easy........
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Jackie-I don't know much about 'healthy' foods, but I did ask a coworker who is very into eating healthy food if she knows what xocai choc. was, she hadn't but looked on the internet. The site she found said that it was not organic and that it was loaded with sugar (has fructose rather than sucrose.) Again, I really don't know anything about this but thought I would pass this info on to you. I swear, soon as I think I have found something healthy, somewhere else I read that it's not:(0
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Jan....love your picture! I need to get a new one up and running but I had so much problem with the last one that I hate to tackle it. It's so nice to put a face with your name. Thanks so much for the info on "the older gals thread." I've already visited there and it looks like a winner.
Michele.........darn! I was getting all excited about the chocolate diet! I'm still going to check it out better, but I imagine your friend is right.
Back to working on getting my taxes ready........UGH!
Rita
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A quick good evening to everyone!!
Jan - nice to see a pic of you
Lovely!!!Blackjack, hope you are doing okay - thinking of you.
Wendy - I walked out with Buster earlier & he turned right around. That dog is just like us, he hates the cold.
Jennifer - hope you pain has eased up. And look forward to Tuesday & getting some of those darn drains out. It definitely helps the comfort level.
Not much here. Gonna go post on recon board, cuz I'm annoyed - my "left" is looking like its already contracturing again (dunno if that's even a word)... but I'm P.O.'d!!!!! Could this really be happening again - oy. I know things could be so much worse, believe me. I'm just annoyed. blah!!
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Hi all, I'm off to check on that site that Jan found and that sounds so good. Sorry that I mentioned the chocolate I forget that not everyone is like me. You will find as many detractors ( especially on the Internet ) as you do sites and people that are for things. I am still in the process of checking this all out and have a meeting set up with Sonya for Monday. As I mentioned to Mich......my friend ( very near to my age ) has according to her Dr. who took care of a couple of our astronauts,( the veins and arteries of an 18 year old. ) and needs to keep doing whatever she is doing. She purchased a bag of the chocolate for herself....and as a gift, one for me. She may end up not feeling she needs or wants it.....but my point is ----- if she thought anything was at all "off" or not good she would not have done that. Gloria is a Nutritionist and is one of the pickiest people I know.......at the same time....she also says to choose a day or time to eat out and don't get into strong denial at that time.....just resolve to behave for some time afterward. She feels it is much worse to keep yourself in the denying frame --- and better to 'plan' a treat and how you will handle a little damage control later. She's really sensible about all these things.....so didn't mean to get any one excited. I tend toward major flexibility in things like this.
You do have a nice pic Jan and it's nice to meet you. Guess it's about time for me to have someone take another pic or me......one that I hopefully like that I can put on here. B. Boss is cute though....he makes an excellent stand-in.
Sure sorry to hear that the leftie is not looking right, Juliet
Hope all the rest of you are doing well.
Prayers and hugs,
Jackie
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Hugs to you Blackjack. So sorry about your family issues and your illness. I hope you feel better soon.
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Morning my pets! Thank goodness it is the last day of February...20 out and with the wind...well, I don't even want to know the windchill. But tomorrow is March so we are past, in my opinion, the worst 2 months of winter.Blackjack...that pic is for you! I can just see you sitting there...and I am right next to you...and we are waiting for the cabana boys to bring us Cosmos! I hope you are feeling better and better everyday...I know you have the funeral today...but please take care of yourself, okay?
Jan...I checked out the other thread..wow...you guys are a chatty little bunch! Yep...I too was told that I was really ":young" to get bc. I was 53, so HUH????
Karin...sorry about the hot flashes...they are so miserable. And if one more "male" tells me to just "dress in layers" I personally will smack the cr*p outta them...for all of us women! Dress in layers my aunt fannie! Yeah...that will do the trick. Not.
Juliet...can you really blame Buster for turning around???? Did you call your PS regarding your girl? I so hope that a contracture is not forming. You were so happy last week. Gentle hugs going out your way....
Irene (Rene23)...I still don't know what surgery you had this week...are you OK? Everything going well?
Jennifer...how are you feeling?
Donna...how are you doing?
Jacks....did you get your furniture out yet for your deck? C'mon...March tomorrow! Time to grill... (LOL)
Rita....let me know if you ever find a chocolate diet that works! Also...re: Acai stuff....I was VERY interested in these products so I went to Amazon.com and searched...and then read the reviews. Seems like this is NOT such a good idea in that 1) it doesn't work and 2) the company makes it ridiculously, horribly hard to cancel shipments. So...I didn't do it. If you find something that I can buy otc AND it works on the belly fat, please let all of us know! Crunches are just not doing it....period. And I will not even discuss my thighs and butt...good gosh. My onc just said "welcome to the world of menopause plus arimidex". Oh goody. I didn't notice THAT in the se's effects listed for the drugs.......
I hope everybody else is doing as well as you can...celebrate the last day of February...the weather just has to start moderating soon. Hugs to all.....
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Hi Girls - A quick driveby...gotta get cleaned up, dressed and out the door... as part of my CASA training... I have to complete a certain amount of continuing education hours each year... I think it's 20 hours... so...anywho... today I am attending a workshop from 9-4 - all about dealing with children's emotions when they are removed from a dangerous home and other topics. There will be 6 speakers - Most of the grads from class will there - so we plan on sitting together.
blackjack - I will give you a call later... hope you're doing okay.
Jennifer - Yikes - I hope the pain is getting better. Gawd - I SO KNOW what you are going through. Hang in there.
Rita - Sorry to hear about your Arimidex s/e's... that must be so frustrating. Hang in there... I wonder if there's a natural supplement that you can take to help the problem? If I find info about something, I will let you know.
PJuliet - OM - what the heck girl! Fingers are crossed...I hope to gawd you don't need another surgery... keep us posted.
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Will check back later... have a great Saturday...
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Hmmm, Going to be a mite difficult to give my cheery thumbs up to the day as
no sun and sounds like we could have some snow even before long. Did not feel so bad outside though feeding the dogs.....still. Won't hold my breath.Due to this and other possibilities I have decided that I won't get the deck furniture out as yet....however, since seating is built right in...I do have the grill sitting there awaiting anything I may wish to cook so I'm that far along.
There is a question I may be asking my friend....re: chocolate.......how it works if you choose to send it back for some reason. Sigh !!!! wouldn't it be nice if you did not have to be "suspicious" of everything...all the time. I know, I know. I was born into thinking everyone was honest and handshakes could seal deals, and that if you were loving and sincere and kind everyone else would be too ---- and now and then a part of me still wants to see and feel that way and it can be so frustrating....so I may be a little moody for the rest of the day but I hope not. You know you just want to believe in the magic sometimes and not have to look for how the trick is done.
Irene and Jennifer......healing vibes and just focus on getting through the next few minutes --- I was always amazed at how far I had gone when I only had to get past the next ten minutes.
Well, I'm off to other parts of my computer and then breakfast.
Bj.....thinking of you today and holding your hand.Prayers and hugs,
Jackie
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Hi ladies. Well the (hopefully) final recon surgery is now behind me. It took a little longer than had been anticipated (3 hours) but he did work on both sides, reducing both and fixing my symmetry, and a bit of lipo on the sides for all that flabby stuff.
I had the surgery on Thursday and stayed until Friday afternoon. Being the crazy person that I am, I forced myself to go to my DD's final senior night dance at the high school Friday night. I paid for that dearly today since I have felt like a freight train hit me all day. I'd almost forgotten how painful and tight my chest could feel, and how damn MUCH it hurts to get out of bed. I'm still a bit loopy, I think from the anesthesia more than pain meds since I'm not really taking too much. I just want to sleep, but it's so uncomfortable. I have two drainage tubes in, but hopefully he'll yank those out when I see him on Tues.
I will say though, the swollen and stitched preliminary look of the girls is exactly what I was hoping for. So, I guess it's all worth it. I'm just SO glad to have this done.
Hope everyone is doing well... I believe my couch is calling me again...
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Rene...so glad that you got through the surgery well and that the "ladies" appear to be what you were expecting. I give you the #1 Mother Award for this week! Wow! You're one tough gal! Take care. Relax a little now and let things heal up. Hugs!
Rita
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Thinking about you tonite Rene.......Be kind to yourself --- a litle self pampering is in order. Glad you are home and wishing you well.
Prayers and hugs,
Jackie
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Bj, I do hope you are having some tea and ME time tonight. The last few weeks have been so rough ---- hoping for sun, gentle breezes and some smooth sailing for you.
Prayers and hugs,
Jackie
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Jackie, thank you for the tea and kind words. Yes, it has been an emotional roller coaster ride for me these last few week. Sick relatives, wakes, funerals, family trauma. I am soooo tired. I went to see the onc the other day for my extremely low white count 1.4. She took 6 tubes of blood and sent me over for a liver scan...so now I wait for the results. I need to be on bed rest for 2-3 weeks and no work. Like that is really going to happen.....me resting not. I told her she better make me well as I am going to the beach in 3 weeks sick or not I am going. The beach breezes, ocean waves and sunny weather is what I need. You can't keep the beach girl waiting around....lol
Thank you all for your kind hugs and prayers as I truly needed them these past few weeks.. You are the best, no most wonderful group of amazing women I know. I am sooo blessed to have you all as friends.
Hugs to all of you.
Blackjack
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Good evening ladies. I have had a very disturbing time but tonight was wonderful with dinner with three couples. WE had so much fun and just laughed heartily. My troublesome news is that a dear friend's brother committed suicide and the memorial was last night. My heart was breaking as the family is distraught. He was forty and had depression. He was a very creative person...an artist. It was hard for me because on this board I see so many people trying desperately to survive and he took his own life. I do understand, however, that he had his own disease and that was depression and it is as real as breast cancer or any other life threatening disease. So it was good ro be with old friends tonight so my DH and I could forget last evening a bit and celebrate good times and our ability to enjoy good times.
Now off me and on to Black Jack. Your doctor means business if she says bed rest! You need to listen to her. I would agree that beach translates to bed and add some sun, and you cannot help but benefit. BJ, you have faced so many challenges. You amaze me with your willingness to do for others. But quite honestly, you need to take care of you now. Please do that. I too have my petite poinstetta and it reminds me of you and your devotion to others. I
Laura, hope the CASA training was stimulating. I have a "homeless" kid right now in class and her mom just boogied. She is being tossed from foster parent to foster parent. She is now in a motel room with an adult brother who I frankly feel is not her brother. She was the one I went shopping for when she was evicted. She is an artist and made me a great picture. If you get here for brunch after the September walk, remind me to show it to you.
Take care and have a wonderful Sunday.
Susan
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it was good to see a post from you Blackjack.....I am still directing my thoughts to you having a very compromised immune system from all the stress and worry that came your way along with being sick.....I am 100% with you on the beach trip, but, maybe if not actual bedrest you could at least take the time off from work and GET some rest ? Theres all kinds of good rest
If I decide to do the Mindfulness study either now or later in the spring and I learn all about how our stress wrecks our immune system maybe I will have some actual concrete help to offer....or.....would you maybe want to call about the study too ????? Susan, sometime when you have time take a peek at the board for the *older* ladies with bc I think you would enjoy reading it from time to time.....
good vibes to you Rene.....
we have sunshine all around today, everyone enjoy it !
with love
Jan
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Well...that's interesting! Just noticed my post of this am is GONE! Oh well...
No time to repost...but Blackjack and Rene23....you two BEHAVE!
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Good morning -
blackjack - Girl... THIS IS AN ORDER... you had better take it easy! I'm serious... you can't mess around with this type of thing... you know better!
Irene - Glad all went well... hang in there... before you know it - the summer will be here and you'll be all healed and ready to flaunt your new girls.
Susan - Damn... that is so sad. I totally understand how people can do that... depression is SO HORRIBLE - and there isn't always a magical happy pill. When I think about how depressed a person must be to actually follow through with suicide... I literally get nauseous. I worry that my friend Kurt (his wife Kelly recently died) will commit suicide... he is so incredibly distraught. In many cases, unfortunately, it doesn't respond to treatment... just like some metastatic cancers. I think more research needs to be done - millions and millions suffer from it... probably way more than cancer stats. Good though... that you got out last night. I sent you an important PM... re: your student.
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CASA seminar was good... I learned ALOT - not ONLY about the kids we advocate for - but about emotions and grief in general... very enlightening... at times though some of the stories were so incredibly sad... it's amazing how many families actually deal with traumatic events.
Have a great Sunday! Off to the "Y" and then for a nail "fill" and then Jewel and then Whole Foods and then HOME, HOME, HOME!
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Morning to all of you and the sun. I'm happy it's out there even if it's pretty chilly. Now and then lack of sun just gets to me quick --- like yesterday so I'm a happy camper today. Hmmm, bed rest --- not sure anyone here could really get away with that unless some sedation was involved, but maybe Bj your Dr. would be happy if you just took a long nap in the afternoon.....you'll have to turn off the phone and pretend your on a dessert island all alone. Susan, that was heart-breaking. I had a good friend commit suicide back in the 80's. She struggled for such a long time to get control. She just reached a point where all her I'll tries were used up and the pain of trying to continue was too great. She had researched things ( she was that sort of person ) and felt God would forgive her and that she would be able to intercede for her family better and help them more once she reunited with her Creator. Perhaps your friend's brother was like that.....just tried all he could and couldn't keep facing the defeat of not getting well or at least a whole lot better. Sometimes I still miss Joan, but feel in my heart she was right as she tried everything and her leave-taking was not spur of the moment. She had two daughters and a great husband.
Hope you all have a great day.......hello to Little C, Jule, Karin, P. Juliet, Julie, and anyone who I have not mentioned.....your still in my thoughts.
Prayers and hugs,
Jackie
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May faith make your life serene,
and hope help keep it bright
and may joy fill each waking hour,
and peace fill every night!
For to the bee a flower is a fountain of life,
and to the flower a bee is a messenger of love.
Quote by Kahil Gibran
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Good morning, gals! YES! The sun is out. I'm ignoring the fact that the temperatures haven't soared to the 70's and the 80's yet and am concentrating on those bright rays. I hope the sun perks you up, Blackjack. I'll add to all the others and say, "Try to compromise with your doctor and get as much rest as possible. You need to take care of yourself."
Oh Susan, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's brother. Depression can be such a terrible affliction. There is so much suffering in this world. I suppose the suffering has been here for decades but I guess I'm more tuned into the pain and trials of others now. I hope I'm more compassionate, too.
Laura, I'm so glad you're getting so involved in CASA. I just know that you're really good at this and there is such a need in this area. You have found a wonderful niche for yourself and my hat goes off to you!
Jan, is the Mindful study a specific seminar type class held in the Chicago area or is it a self-help "at home" study? I really do believe that stress plays a big factor in the immune system.
Irene...I hope today is an even better day for you! :-)
Everyone have a good Sunday!
Rita
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Rita......I got a letter Friday from my BS suggesting it to me.....it is funded by the National Cancer Research Study Group and run through Loyola Univ. at the Hinsdale Wellness Center *takuing a breath* .....it goes for 8 weeks....and is all about meditation and yoga and stress relief and there will be blood drawn and saliva given and if you make it all the way to the end they even give you some $$$$$.....I want VERY much to do it cause I am SO sure my stress level is off the charts but we have our vacation coming in April and Im sure you have to contract that you wont miss a class but they will do it again late spring early summer and maybe I will be asked to do that one, in the meantime I may do their Educational and Enrichment seminar on hormone therapy and whats new on the Horizon and what to eat ect.....if I do any of it I will share it with all of you .....and if anyone wants to try to go just let me know and I'll pass on the info to you.
Jan
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Still in pain - managing it but that is about it. Sometimes I am able to sleep through the night and sometimes not - keeping the pain bottle close by. I think the drains and the expanders are causing the most pain. Two of the 4 drains are suppose to come out Tuesday. The next 2 should come out next week. So far, I think I am doing good with no infection. Thank goodness for my husband and family and friends. They have been wonderful. People have brought over food, flowers, cards, etc. It really has helped. This is way worse than child birth. That pain goes away quicker. I try to sleep to avoid as much pain as possible. Movement really hurts.
Blackjack - bed rest is what you need! You need to take care of yourself and heal. Best wishes for a quick recovery and some needed peace.
Thank you all for your care and concern. Going back to lay down for awhile. ~Jennifer
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Good Evening Girls.... I hope everyone is having a very restful Sunday. For those who know me I am not one for sitting or resting for that matter. I have to be doing something....so I found some Cd's that my dd made for me last time she was home. Low and behold they were the most calming, relaxing piano music I have ever heard. So I got out my digital moving frame my ds gave me for xmas with all my fave beach vacation pics, lit some candles and cracked opened the wine and boy am I relaxed. So girls I am soooo relaxed now maybe my counts are way up now lol.
Jen..I hope you are feeling better soon...let others help you with family stuff. Healing hugs to you.
Rita...when are you going to Las Vegas and were are you staying. My sister is taking me back in June as I was sick this time out. But never fear I did get a lot of play in. lol
Jackie..thanks for the great quotes today. you are the best.
Wendy...no am post today..what's up with that..lol Did you have the Z out today.
Laura..glad to see that you are doing CASA again. Good for you.
Susan... I am sorry to hear about your friend's brother. Depression is one of those things that takes a long time to resolve if it ever does. My thoughts and prayers are with your friend's family.Your granddaughter is sooooo beautiful. Congrats to you and your family. Enjoy that sweet thing.
NurseJan...hope are you feeling good. I love your avatar pic. I hope you can come join us for lunch bunch. Do you have your Mar.schedule yet. pm me and let me know.
To the girls in tx I hope you are doing well and are getting plenty of rest. Hugs to all of you.
To everyone else I missed I am thinking of you all and sending you all big hugs.
Well I am off to try to eat something. Will ck back later.
Have a great evening and remember to be healthy...be happy.
Blackjack
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Morning! OK...10 degrees??????? Just will have to hold on until Thursday when it will be up near 60 with sun. Brrrrrrrr....Blackjack...my post of yesterday am disappeared into that great cyberspace void...no idea what happened. I hope you are behaivng yourself!
Jennifer.....not having gone thru what you did, I don't know if that kind of pain is normal. But it sounds like you have it "somewhat" under control. I do think that having 2 of the drains out should help. Otherwise...just sleep it all away. Weatherwise you sure aren't missing anything!
Laura...it really sounds like CASA was the perfect fit for you! I am so happy that you have found your niche.
Carol....how are you doing???? Only 2 left, only 2 left!!!!! Soon!!!!
DH and I l elected to take a ride yesterday....we looked on the map and picked a place called Rock Falls...it sounded interesting and very pretty. We didn't take the tollroad but opted for the scenic route. Took 2 hours to get there. And.......2 hours of nothing but farms....farms, farms, farms. Get to Rock Falls and.......yep, there's the river and no, no falls. No cutesy little restaurant to eat lunch so we ended up in the car, at McD's. We couldn't wait to get on 88 and roll on home. We just laughed and laughed about our little excursion. We did however keep the radio off both ways and we just talked and talked about a lot of things. It turned out to actually be a great day for us. But the funny thing was we got home a little before 3pm sat down on the couches in the fam room and FELL ASLEEP IMMEDIATELY...until almost 5! We NEVER do that. All those farms must have put us to sleep. OH well....we'll try for something more exciting for next weekend. Maybe watching paint dry.....
Have a great day ladies....stay warm!
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Hi Jennifer... Know how you are feeling!! Just 6 weeks post op and doin better each day. You are in the rawest state and wait for the 30 day mark as that was a good turnaround time also in healing!!! Rest is still occuring for me here and there but it DOES get better. I still have to have chemo and will not be assigned until i am healed. Still have some fluid collecting in the back area.
What a lively group here!!! Great energy for sure!!! ALL that asked , i am still healing and doin better each day. Still have the idea of chemo coming as a dreadful part of journey and plan to regiister at a Cancer Support Group near me for added info and support!!!!
Today I am trying Yoga class for first time since surgery. PT okayed it, but no stomach work.
Happy Monday and what a great group!!!
Donna
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Good morning Illinois ladies!
Donna, I dreaded the chemo more than any part of the journey, mainly because I'd heard such horrid stories from the past about its agonies. It is certainly not a walk in the park or something we would elect to do for "the fun of it," but modern medicine has so many things now to combat and prevent major side effects, that chemo is doable. You will get through it and learn very quickly how to manage any side effects that pop up. In fact, you may be lucky and have NO side effects, so must concentrate now on healing. I think the support group sounds like a good idea.
Wendy....I'm sitting here laughing hysterically. Rock Falls, eh? I was born and raised in Lyndon, just a "hop, skip, and a jump" from Rock Falls. After I went to college, my parents divorced and my mother moved to Rock Falls. My step-father, my aunt, and several of my cousins still live there or across the river in Sterling. Most of the beauty of the town is associated with the river and water sports: fishing, boating, skiing, hikes along the canal, etc. which are not visible in February! It's a bit too cold for that! I wish I would have known you were heading that way. There's a wonderful pizza place there and the Candlelight Restaurant, known for its Chicken George, a very tasty chicken meal! Hey the next time you take off on a whim, head toward Bloomington! I do agree that Rock Falls sounds really interesting compared to what's visible to a tourist.
Well I actually have an entirely empty box on my calendar today. Think I'll spiffy up this place a bit, write a few questions to make a few bucks, and fix a good dinner tonight. The diet starts today so I need to have something nutritious and tasty that's on the diet so that Dave doesn't rebel too terribly.
The sun is out again today despite the chilly temps so that is at least encouraging.
Catch you all later. I'm sure I won't be able to resist hopping on later in the day!
Rita
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Donna and Jennifer....positive healing thoughts coming your way. Chemo can have it's difficulties but all in all probably the best insurance policy you can have in your wellness journey. I think for many of us that can be one of the most upsetting aspects too. I had a lot of apprehension going in, but then it became somewhat routine even though I was dragging my feet at times. I guess the best thing I can say is that having done it....I would do so again if the need ever arose.
Wendy, you so reminded me of moving back here 11 years ago. Growing up we didn't even have a car until I was in the 7th. or 8th. grade and even then....it was used mainly for my Dad to go to work or to go into town for groceries. When Dh and I moved back here he kept asking me about all the little surrounding towns and I'd have to say I'd never been there. Communities that were no more than 10 or 12 miles away. So, once we were settled......every few days we'd just pick a direction and start out. It was interesting ( boring too ) and we learned where all the fun antique/collectibles shops were. Now and then we still get the urge to go find a town we have never seen before...but we have to go farther to find it. My childhood...though it didn't include t.v. in the beginning ( we were the first family in town to have one -- my dad bar tended on the week-ends for it ) as I think I was nearly 8,was absolutely the best.
Very chilly here too...drat!!! It will warm and if we are lucky not too many surprises left I hope. Have had snow in April ( 14 ins. one year ) but I'd like to just smooth into Spring now
Prayers and hugs to everyone.
Jackie
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