Illinois ladies facing bc
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Hi Nancy - You're not far from me...I'm in Hawthorn Woods. Good news about your mammo. Sorry about the bone loss... but my mother went on Evista... and after only one year, she had an INCREASE in bone density...so don't worry too much.
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It is soooooooooo crappy out! What a difference a day makes! Have a great Saturday... if you find some sunshine - please send it my way! Luv ya!
OH - and btw girls, this year's Komen walk is on Saturday, September 26th.
TEAM: NO SURRENDER - is ALIVE and kicking!
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Nancy 101 important about osteoporosis - arimidex - dexa scans - DR LIST ALERT
Is your oncologist aware of zometa IV study lately?
Do you know what level you are at -2.1 some figure like that? My friend pointed out to me there are levels, you can google that.
My oncologist ordered zometa IV, 15 minutes, had to get insurance okay, it has shown lately in a study that it offsets cancer getting into your bones as well......MAKE SURE YOU LOOK INTO this for your knowledge....I will get zometa every 6 months for two years (4 times).
I'm on arimidex. (since January 2008)
You have to be on top of this..as my oncologist said he was going to order a scan, then he didnt' then he said next time, then he didn't then my regular doctor ordered one and then he got all excited and got on the bandwagon...he seems to be great (Wendy can attest) but he must have too many patients.
I recommend us all typing notes and giving them to the doctor to answer issues, and then it will help him dictate later what really went on in appointment, not to mention he can address all your issues without you having to remember. As it is, I always forget something...and this last time, I called out the door, what about my CA 2729 (cancer marker). Oh, he said, that was last time.
He was WRONG, it was that time...and now I wish I would have called him on it and asked why I had WBC a little low and alkaline PHos. elevated. I wonder now if he even looked at it.
Now that I'm back to self pay...I'm re assessing my gynecologist and primary physican, $300 lately to call me in to say I might have diabetes put me over the top. Along with $965 in lab bills that were not covered with my BC surgery coverage.
ANOTHER NOTE, IF YOU ARE SELF PAY, YOU ALMOST ALWAYS HAVE TO ASK FOR DISCOUNT, they never OFFER IT.
Kater
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doctors notes
i read them later, YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR THEM! and sometimes they are not accurate, that is why you must collect all your own records. and READ them.
My oncologist told me to write down stage 2A and I later read he said I was stage 3A.
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So sorry to be gone so long, but long story and probable food poisoning in Vegas are reasons. I think BJ and I should stay away from Vegas for awhile! I'll catch up slowly with everyone, and hope you are all enjoying the day in spite of the weather.
Laura, I'm sorry I can't make it tomorrow, but hoefu;;y next time. have a great time, and you are so talented!
Hi Susan, I too worry about the radiation of too many tests, but the good thing about MRI's is no radiation at all! CT scans are another story, however. MRI uses magnets, and so no risk from rads, but the contrast they give has a slight risk. We need to drink lots of water afterwards, to flush it out.
I'll try to catch up with more posts later.
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Afternoon everyone. Smerf, hated hearing that you dealt with food poisoning in such a fun place - not that there is any difference. Food poisoning is just not too nice to have to deal with anywhere, any time. You sound like you are much better so that is good to hear. Food illness ( poison ) can be lethal.
Nancy...how fantastic about your mammogram. I'm only on Arimidex since November 08 so pretty new at it. Worried about my bones to but no test as yet of any kind. It's early I think. I need to really get some exercising going....on consistent basis.
Great to hear though that some bone loss can be reversed. I know I hear Sally Fields when she advertises Boniva ( 1 pill, taken once a month ) talk about having reversed her bone loss. It's encouraging to hear.
All have a good eveing.
Prayers and hugs,
Jackie
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Morning! Brrrrrr....38 and pouring rain out here. Blech.
Kater....just wondering why Dr Bayer had your bones tested so early...he said in my case he would do the first scan at the 2 year mark. I am going for the free heel scanning on Friday tho at Delnor. I'm not too worried about the bone loss either....if I have it, there are drugs to take.
Smerf....good to hear from you. Sorry about the food poisoning. You should be back to your usual self soon, if you aren't already!
Blackjack....how are you? I think you went up N this weekend, right? You should stay up there and just relax and look at the water. But knowing you, you will probably start spring cleaning up there! Behave!
Nancy101---woooohoooo on the good mamm! And you have LESS scar tissue? How did you do that?
Jan....how did the seminar go? Anxious to hear what else is out there for us at the end of 5 years.
Susan....I wonder if my BC didn't come from taking the OTC phytoestrogens to combat hot flashes. I would take them for 6 months and then stop for a few months to see if the hot flashes would come back...and they would...and then I would go back on them. I did this for about 3.5 years and then....poof! BC! I know the jury is still out on plant estrogens but I do wonder about that. Oh well...too late to worry about THAT one now!
I'm glad to have another hour of daylight at night now....but time sure does get screwed up, doesn't it! Well...off I go...to reset about 100 clocks (only kidding - just seems that way) and of course I can never remember how to do the cars! At least my SUV does it all by itself. Gotta love that....
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Good Morning and it is a fine morning so far. Thought we were do for a very dark and rainy night but it did not come. Later today it will apparently.....drat. Across the river ( in St. Louis ) they are expecting tornadoes. I think you could see that anywhere with the huge change in the weather patterns with all their warmth.
Big day today at Laura's....hmmm, did you realize it was first day of DST this year Laura. Well, I did my usual and got up at what my clock said was "my regular time". Dh did not set the clocks last night.....will do it today. I really enjoy the extra hour of daylight.....always have and miss it till it is once again 'time' . Today may seem like a long day as I think I'll still be on 'old' time for a day or two yet.
Hope you all have a great day.
Prayers and hugs,
Jackie
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Bj, hope you are fine along with Little C, Rene, and all those not posting on a regular basis.
In the book of life every page has two sides: we human beings fill the upper side with our plans, hopes and wishes, but providence writes on the other side, and what it ordains is seldom our goal. -- Nisami
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Morning All!
This is a question on wigs! My DH just found a wig sight part of ACS and ended up ordering a really nice styled one that looks exactly what i would wear and very close to my own style, just a little longer. Now i do have an appt with a Wig Salon and will see how this wig sent looks like... but , wondered did i just do something very foolish? The price was great, and if anythibg, could use it as a back up etc. Just wondered how wigs are done.
My chemo has not started yet, but was told i would loose hair and am preparing myself now before the stress of it all really hits. Thanks for the input!!
Hugs,
Donna
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Hi Donna,
Happy to meet you! I would keep the appointment, and try on different wigs even if you love the one your dh ordered. It's interesting, and even fun to try on different styles and colors, and having a little fun is good in our situations. My hubby was surprised when I chose two very different wigs. One was like I wore my hair anyway, and the other was a different color and style altogether. I had my choice depending on my mood that day, and it was fun. Even my own sister was fooled, and thought I had completely changed my hair color and style. Also, my insurance paid towards my wigs, which I did not know when I bought them. That is why your onc actually gives you a 'script for it.
I'm trying to convince my DH that the flower show at Navy Pier would be a good idea for today. He wants to go to work. I'll let you know who wins this one later.
Pat
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Donna, I am far from knowledgeable where wigs are concerned, but lots of us used lots of different methods in regard to wigs. You will I'm sure most definitely want one. I did not use mine a lot --- mainly only for going to work two days a week and once in awhile when I went out. I was very comfortable using a variety of hats and scarves that you can also usually find where wigs are sold. My wig actually came from a seminar called I think " Look Good, Feel Better ". These are often put on by the unit/hospital/oncology chemo center where you are getting your chemotherapy. The wigs are free ---- they are donated (surplus ) by manufactures or those who have been through and know how important it is to utilize whatever makes you feel more comfortable and secure about yourself at such a stressful time. As well, they give you a free make-up kit....usually about $200.00 worth of make-up according to your skin type. They also show you how to apply make-up ( I needed this as I had not worn much for make-up for years ) and last but not least.....it's wonderful to sit in a room and be in the same shape as everyone there --- in other words generally everyone without hair etc. You also can get guidance for doing eyebrows that often substantially thin out --- maybe even disappear.
I truly liked the free wig I got.....it had been highlighted so had something of a 'frosted look' and therefore looked more like natural hair or what you might do to your own natural hair. Several of the girs here ( I think Wendyk for one ) had several wigs in different colors and would match wig with color/mood for the day. Now is a time to some degree to have some fun and do some things you might not do otherwise. There are natural real hair wigs and synthetic ones. Of course, the nice part of the real hair ones is that you can attend to them just as you did your own hair....wash, set, curl with a curling iron etc. Synthetics are diffrent....you have to follow directions on cleaning and care but it's not hard. Another reason to have an extra.
Rest assured it was not a foolish thing. Though it is often hard for many of us to do it because women are usually the soothers, caregivers, and fixer-uppers of life for everyone else.....this is about you now and what it takes to keep you feeling good about yourself. The better you feel about yourself.....probably the better your overall attitude and a good attitude definitely makes the medicine go down -- oops, I think that was a spoon full of sugar. But attitude is very important. Your attitude about yourself will color what you do so much....so whatever you need to do, throw out some of the previous reservations, and go for it. If there is a way to make things easier for yourself don't blink an eye ( hard one for me ) but it's you time like it's never been before. I'm sure many of the others will chime in her and you will get lots of reassurance and good advice and be able to pick and choose what is comfortable for you. Here's to you.
Prayers and hugs,
Jackie
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Blackjack, I'm hoping you are resting, and feeling so much better by now.
Laura and Juliet. happy, happy belateds birthday wishes to youy both. I'm sorry I spent your special days in that special, recently remodeled room in my house. Yup, you know...the throne room! At least my surroundings were pretty after last summer's project, LOL. Last night was the first time I started feeling normal, and this am it is even better.
I think February was just not our month for travel, as the broken shoulder ,and the food poisoning showed, but we are tough and have survived. It has been three weeks for the shoulder, so one more and he will start taking call again.
Rita, your new avatar is gorgeous!
Laura, have a wonderful time today, and share your talents with everyone. I'm glad to be feeling better today, but wasn't sure I would be in time for your gathering. I'm guessing that the view from your deck is as beautiful today as it was on the sunny day when I saw it. I know everyone will have fun!
Off to set the clocks.....
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Wow, Smerf, I am glad you are rebounding. What a time you have had. LV has alwasy scared me when it comes to food. My DH took the fun out ofthe place for me when he mentioned that everything is open 24 hours so when do the employees clean up and regroup for next day and crowd. I do not think they are all open 24 hours but that was enough for me to be skeptical on the cleaniness of the place.
We are actually going to Navy Pier today, so I will look for you amidst the flowers! You will be the tall and elegant-looking lady, I believe.
If you want a short and very funny read, try The Uncommon Reader.....good for those who appreciate the British humor.
Have to take a day off on Tuesday. DD will have a sonogram for uterus and perhaps a D and C. She is having some issues after giving birth and they want to be sure she is cleaned out as she is having strong cramps. She is on a pill now and hopefully that will work. I am told not to worry as this is not unusual, but mothers (and dads) worry anyway.
Have fun today!
Susan
Time to hustle...I hate losing that hour!
Susan
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Hi gals! It looks like we are on the edge of some threatening weather conditions right now. Hopefully the bad stuff will pass us by....and all of you, too.
Jan...loved the poem. Thanks Jackie for bringing it over to this forum.
Susan...No antique shops in Deer Grove....just the great chicken place. This is a VERY small town. There are lots of places, though that I think you'd like like Nauvoo. The Mormon Temple is there and lots of shops. Carthage is just down the road. I'll keep thinking for you. I've been to LOTS of small towns in Illinois.
Well, I'm afraid the computer is going to go down. It's getting pretty dark here so I'm signing off for now.
I'll be back later.
Rita
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Hi again. Once more I have surprised myself with my bravery. I had decided due to windy gray conditions to go to Wally World --- usually an every other day occurrence for me with all my flocks of furry kids. Well, you might know that it started beginning drops on the way so I rushed back home for an umbrella.....and got half way back to Wal-Mart and the wind blew and the rain came down in torrents. Decided since I'm now half and half....may as well see what the parking lot looked like....not bad. I'll go in and shop a bit and hope it's not pouring when I come out.
They had some of those plastic chest of drawers on sale for $16.00 so I got two---brave since I might have had to use one of the drawers for a boat.....but lo and behold, I get outside and the sun is shining......not a cloud in the sky and it's un-believably beautiful. It is still a mite windy in gusts now and then so I very much doubt the rain is over but what a neat surprise.....and to think with the wind blowing my car all over in the rain I was deep into the idea of just going back home. I Am Woman......and I am rather tenacious now and then. End of story.
Prayers and hugs,
Jackie
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Thanks Jackie and Pat!!!! Appreciate the feedback and wisdom.. have some work to do and getting info like this, is so comforting!!! i will keep the appt with the wig salon and also check out a ACS office providing free wig service.
Hope all are having a good weekend.
hugs,'
Donna
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Hi all:
Well, I didn't really think I would see Pat at the Flower Show, but I did TWICE! It was great as the weather here is so gloomy. I picked up some cacti that I love and some "sticks" that are quite hot this year. They are called river reeds and have a real "zen" feeling to them. Zen is what I need now! My DH and I also checked out some restaurants on Navy Pier as my childhood friend is coming into town in May and taking us to the Shakespeare Theater (and that is located on Navy Pier). We wanted to find a nice restaurant as we need to park once! Not much in the way of choice! Either fastfood, restaurants that do not take reservations, or Stafanis and the latter is pricey for a party of 5). The Odyssey boat dinner is $100 per person. So I need to problem solve.
Rita, I love any very small town. My Dh and both love small towns with or without antique stores (although we like them better if they have one in the barn in the back with negotiable prices). We like the ones that have a cemetary just outside of "town" and a Carnegie Library. We have a keen desire to see any small town without a webpage! So we are pausing thorugh Deer Grove on our way to Carthage. Remember, I am the girl who did the Spoon River trip over twenty years ago!
Have a great week!
Susan
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Good Sunday evening to everyone! Just popping in to say hi & do some catching up on the posts.
Went out last night to see a band with some friends & DH and had a great time. (This was my b-day celebration with friends that we had planned a while ago.) I was out until 2am, and my throat hurts from singing along & "whooohooo"ing. It was so much fun, but I sure am tired today. I slept until noon!!! I never do that.
How was the scrapbooking today ? I hope you all had fun. (I would have planned to attend, but I knew I was going to have a crazy, late night.... we always do, lol).
Tomorrow I am officially a job seeker! I am going to start applying for jobs & that will be my main focus now that I'm done with surgeries (knock wood!)
I hope you all are having a pleasant weekend - even though it's been a very wet one.
XOXOXOXO's all around... Juliet
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Hi Ladies,,
I'm still around, just haven't been on the computer for a few days.
Hapy Birthday to Juliet and Laura! I hope that they were fun days!
Yep....one more to go...3/24 will be my LAST CHEMO! God, I can't wait!!!! I have little Nuelasta men in my legs with pickaxes trying to dig out WBC's from my joints. I wish that they would go away. Tomorrow will be a better day!
Love to all, Carol
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Smerf..So good to see a post from you!
Susan, the town of Ellisville has the smallest library in the state. I think they have something like 3,000 + books packed into a 350 square foot area. It only has a population of 86!
Laura, we didn't hear all about your birthday yet!
I hope the scrapbooking and charm making went well!
Jackie, our storm passed through quickly, too.
Carol...wow! You're about done! YEA!!!!
Hugs to all of you!
Rita
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Thank goodness for girlfriends - even though you don't really "know" them. There is a common "sisterhood" in all of us. Thanks for being there for me.
Jennifer
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Good evening girls....stopping bye to say hi to all. What happened to the great weather we had Friday..warm and sunny. Today is so cold wet and raining..yucky day. Maybe we all need to think spring..I know I could use some warm sunshine about now. I have been on the mend resting as best as I can. White count is coming up and liver enzymes are going down so that is all good for me. My poor arm is so sore and bruised from all those blood draws. It really sucks when you only have one arm to draw from. Oh I am just whining today...forgive me.
Jen...hope you are feeling better. sending you a big hug
Carol...all most done and then a big lunch for you....yeh
Juliet..glad to see you went out to party and had fun...oh girls wanna have fun...
Rita...love your new pic...so hot looking.
Susan...spring break is almost here and then count down for you until the big retirement. then let the fun begin
Donna..hope you are doing well.
Jackie..how are you doing. Loved the quote you reprinted for Jan. You are our quote girl.
NurseJan..do let us know about your Hormonal med lecture. Inquiring minds want to know.
Laura...how is auntie doing?? Did you have fun??
Smerf..are you all better now from your illness from LV. How is dh shoulder doing better?
Wendy...how are you doing? Do you think we need more Red Lobster?? lol
As for me I am off to put on jammies and have some tea. I hope you all have a great evening. Let's really think spring and Boating season is almost here yeah!!!!
remember to be healthy..be happy.
BJ
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blackjack - glad to hear that your counts are improving
And you aren't whining at all, you have every right to be annoyed with that stuff. Carol -yahooo!!! 1 to go!!!
Hi & hugs to every else... just popping by on my way to the job listings on CL
Good night.. Juliet
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Hello~ Hello~ Hello~~ How are you all doing?? It's been a while since my last post.. I've been little busy since my chemo treatment is over.. YES, I am DONE with the CHEMO ~!~!~! (I don't have to eat stake everyday anymore; it did help though) I am very glad chemo is over and thank you ladies for support.. I feel great~! I just got back from family vacation and wish it didn't ends~ oh, well.. I had a good time with my family and friends...
Good night ladies and sweet dreams~!
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Just lost a whole post....who knows where it is....In hopes it would be here I exited out and came back ready to hit the edit button and just keep on. Sigh.
Congrats Elfsong. How wonderful for you and how special to celebrate with all your loved ones.
Jennifer....it is a very, very wonderful sisterhood --- we kill monsters.
Carol/Berrypatch.....great to hear from you too. Only one more, only one more and it will be big celebration time for you goo.
Susan, we have a Carnegie library here but not much else. A couple of antique/craft type stores but you can see the sights in town here and move onto another one or two quite easily. Still, it's home......and every town is home to someone. At least there are several within easy reach if you choose to spend your day doing shops.
Well, onward and upward since I lost the first really nice post.
Hi to everyone who is not posting much....haven't forgotten all of you.
Prayers and hugs,
Jackie
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Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.
Robert Louis Stevenson
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Hi Girls! I have had a very busy weekend.... we ended up post-poning our Craft Sunday. My aunt (82 yrs. old) was in town from AZ - she didn't give me much notice - and wanted to visit with me yesterday... I didn't have the heart to say no... But - we will re-schedule Craft Sunday - sometime soon.
My birthday week was fun... I had lunch plans, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday! OMG - I think I gained 15 pounds. I ate more last week, than I have eaten in the last 2 months.! OINK, OINK... but I truly appreciated every minute. dh made me my favorite pasta dish - Saturday night... and we watched movies. Yesterday...the weather was so crappy... driving in it sucked! But atleast it wasn't that dirtly four letter word: S-N-O-W. Last night I talked to my friend in WI - they got 8 inches yesterday! Yikes... better them than us! lol
blackjack - Glad you're doing a little better... the FL sunshine will do you good!
Have a nice day... HI TO EVERYONE!
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Well...this is all I can insert today. Photobucket will not allow me to link pics on this computer....very strange.Elfsong....good to hear from you. All Done!!!!! Doesn't it feel wonderful!
Blackjack....are being a good girl????? Glad to hear your counts are doing better.
Smerf....well, at least you had a nice bathroom to sit around in! And you talked DH into flowers instead of work! You are one smart lady....
Susan....In that big of a place, you ran into Smerf TWICE??? Go figure....sounds like you had a nice time.
Laura...sorry your day was canceled, but you are a good niece. And you are right....rain I can take but please, oh please....no more snow! Hey...if you know what's up with photobucket, let me know. It has nothing to do with bandwidth...and it works just fine on my other computer...the old, slow workhouse upstairs. CAn't imagine what happened....
Jacks...I tried to post the pic of your furniture on your deck, but of course...I am not allowed today!
Got lots done today....waaaaaay too much laundry/ironing for 2 people if you ask me! But I did haul up 2 chairs for the deck, just in case tomorrow is as warm as they say. Also stuck some fake flowers in my deck flower boxes....looks so much better!
Well...I am back to trying to figure out photobucket. Everyone have a wonderful evening....more rain coming our way. Get the sandbags out....
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OH......seems like when I downloaded the new adobe flash player so DH could watch 24....the one-click no longer works on photobucket. You have to copy and paste. OK...Wendy happy....pictures are back!
.....And here is Jackie's table on her deck...what are we having for dinner????????0 -
Tomorrow is the day I am going to get the blasted drains out. I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THESE OUT!!!! Tomorrow will be a better day.
Rita - If you want to see a really cool library, you might want to make the trip someday to my hometown of Mcleansboro (SE of Mt Vernon). The library is a registered historical place and is very neat to see. Best time to come is during the day when you can tour the upper floors. It is a turn of the century home/mansion converted into a library. http://www.mcleansboro.com/community/mccoy.php
~ Jennifer
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