Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
-
Well, I've been sleeping pretty good during the weekend and now can't sleep.. It's 2 am already..
Carol- It hurts to think about it.. I hope you feel better and I think take few days off is great idea~!
Jo- nice to meet you.. I had a left breast mast and immed recon with tissue expander.. Then, 4month of chemo with 4 different meds and started radiation about 2weeks ago.. I have two kids (1 and 3year old) and it was tough with the little ones.. My kids stayed with their grandma for a month while I was getting surgery and recovery.. If your family or anybody offer to help, take it~! This is not an easy road and still not but it gets better.. We are here to help you and support you and I am telling you, this ladies are tough but they are soft and loving family.. Be positive, be optimistic..
I hope you all had good weekend~! see ya~!
0 -
...Morning! Hope you all had a nice holiday. I had one of the best days I have had in months! Not sure why either....the company was great, the food was great, the kids played outside. Maybe that's it...we were OUTSIDE!!!! Chilly...but sunny. I see today is going to be cold and rainy. Yuck. And my grass has grown so will need to mow this week...I have a new air filter that I never got around to changing out last year....anyone ever done that? It SEEMS rather straightforward.Carol....good decision in making that R turn! At that point it wasn't anything to fool around with...and your official dx of cellulitis, while not fun...much better than a blood clot! I had mild cellulitis in my L thigh after being stun 5x last fall and that wasn't much fun. I can only imagine your poor arm! I think that being at home is probably a good idea, unless you can do some work while keeping the arm up...maybe just a half day if you really feel like showing up. Take care!
Elfsong....I am so sorry that you were up again! Did you try the tylenol PM's? If your doc thinks it's OK, tho. They really help me.
Blackjack....how was the big dinner? With DS cooking as well, it must have been some feast! When does he start?
MamaQ....keep coming here! We will def. keep you amused with our stories and our lives. Usually mine consist of something my DH had done but I have to say....he has been pretty normal these days. Not at all like him! But I think we all remember the day that he was in a hurry and zipped "himself" into his pants. Poor little guy! He was in a lot of pain for a few days! I think personally our group is good as we have different types of bc, different surgeries, different tx's etc. as well as a nice age spread so we all have something to contribute to a discussion or if someone needs support, or some info. Remember....come here to yell, scream, vent, laugh, b**ch! Someone will be along soonest to commiserate. Nothing we haven't been thru ourselves most probably at one point...
Laura....hope your Easter was nice! DH and I have done the "just us" Easter...and ya know, it's OK! What did Paulie have for dinner? Your fancy "do" on Wed. sounds nice....what are you wearing?
Jackie....shut up. OK, OK...only kidding! Sometimes when I am having a bad day...I just skim the posts and look just for you...cuz whatever you are saying to whomever (whoever?) it will probably factor in to my feelings. You give so much to us...I wonder if you have any idea!
Time to get moving I guess...I would much rather just curl up with a book BUT....need to work off that lamb cake and then off to JoAnn's for some Tommy Bahama fabric, then home to house clean and maybe a rug shampoo of the traffic area and then some sewing and then dinner.
Book is looking so much better......
Have a wonderful day and like BJ says....hug someone you love! Hugs are the best!
0 -
Morning girls,
Hope everyone had a great Easter/Passover holiday. We had a fun day of food, food and more food. Ok you can roll me out. No eating this whole week. lol My ds will be starting next week at the Abby. I am so happy he will be working now as I do love him but I don't need all that food around me. lol
Wendy...what are you making with the Tommy Bahama fabric. Color, ideas...my house is decorated in TB colors. Glad to see that you had a great E- day
Laura...need Paulie hunt for eggs. lol How is the Mexican vacation coming. dates???
Rita...hope you had a wonderful time cuddling that new baby. Need to see pics soon.
Jackie....you are so wise and wonderful with all your quotes. You make my day when I am down with your words of wisdom. So keep on chatting for us. How was the new stove. Did you make a big feast.
Jo...welcome to our corner of the world. We are all of different stages and txs but we are all here to support one another. We are a fun group. So come back often.
Donna/Buddy...thinking of you and hope all is going well with your txs. Hope you were able to enjoy your holiday. remember to rest often and drink fluids.
Carol..glad to see that you went to the ER for those IV drugs. Cellulitis is better than a blood clot so hope your arm is feeling better soon. Keep it elevated to reduce the swelling.
Jan..vacation coming soon for you.
Elfsong...you do need to get sleep. hope you are feeling better soon to.
Juliet..good luck this week with your job interview at ABMC. What position did you apply for. Keeping my finger and toes crossed for you.
Well I gotta run I have a super busy day. Need to get my dd back to school, son off to Wisc, dh off to work and me off to the gym. Have a great day. Think spring, sun and beach weather.
Remember to be healthy...be happy and hug the ones you love . Sending you all a big HUG.
BJ
0 -
Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.
- the Buddha0 -
Good morning
everybody....and yep, it rained all might and is gray and gloomy here not going to be much of a day. Well, I bet I can find all sorts of undone things to take care of here and there, and a dog or two to play with later. Great to hear about the Easter fun and food, and more food, and more food. Dh did not get home till almost 7 time work was done, so I had a couple of pizza's sitting in the freezer ( getting quite old as my oven was gone since before Thanksgiving ) so I decided to use those up.....and finally use the new oven. Did quite well and I'm embarrassed to say......OMG, I had forgotten how yummy the kitchen could smell with the oven in use. I think anything "baked" is going to be on the menu for some time to come. Still have to figure out the convection part of it....if it works like the regular oven it will be super simple.
Hope you all have a fantastic day....and if you have any boiled leftover eggs...make my favorite egg salad --- simple recipe. Chop eggs fine with yolks, sm. amt. chopped onion if you like it, fair amt. of sliced green olives, enough mayo to wet well, and a sm.dab of yellow mustard in the mayo.
Have a good day and as always....be back later.
Hugs,
Jackie
0 -
Hi gals! I'm home! I spent my weekend playing with my two older grandsons and cuddling Evan every chance I got. I have lots of pictures on my camera so this afternoon I'm heading for Walgreens and getting a bunch printed off. Then I'll get them all onto my computer and see what I can do about getting some posted. You know me, gals. It may be Wednesday before I finally get them up and on! Ms. Technology I am NOT! LOL
Anyway, we colored eggs, too Wendy and decorated them with Superhero stickers. I went to Alex's T-Ball game and we laughed and laughed at the funny antics of the little players as one little guy even knocked down his teammate in an attempt to get the ball first. LOL And the fun continued there for a couple of hours. We went shopping and purchased Grant (the middle child) his first little two-wheeled bike with training wheels....and I kept my hands on Evan as often as possible. He looked pretty cute with that lovely afghan from Wendy draped over him. (Yes, I do have pictures of that, too!)
So Donna and Lisa/Buddy and Carol.......There were so many different times during my bc journey that I was SO tired of being sick and so many times when I just DREAMED of having a wonderful weekend like this last one or of having a holiday without pain and fatigue. You do get by it. It does eventually happen, and believe me, you appreciate it much more than you ever did before bc entered your life. You will get there! Sometimes we just hit a few speed bumps along the way! HUGS to all of you.
MamaQ...welcome to our thread. There will always be somebody here to lend an ear, encouragement, or to answer your questions. Come back often and tell us more about yourself and where you're located in the state.
Jan...belated Happy Birthday! I was so wrapped up in my own little bubble this weekend that I forgot to look around me. I hope you had a good one!
Hey MJ...we did good on the Easter top selection! Even Dave noticed it and offered a compliment. I walked around for a week wearing my new glasses each night and finally had to ask if he liked them! Anyway, we are a great shopping team! I hope you had a great Easter, dear friend!
I just skimmed the weekend posts so I'll be back later when the errands are run to scour them more carefully!
Try to keep up your spirits on this dreary, rainy Monday. Remember those "April showers bring May flowers!"
Hugs to all of you. You are all so very important!
Rita
0 -
Found this on my way to something else and being the day after Easter thought we deserved a second quote today......I've put this on before but I just love it.
Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow."
- mary anne radmacher0 -
Boy, all of you are like ping pongs full of life and vigor!!!I am sleep ALOT and barely doin more than the basics goin on day 5. I did not walk today as the other days and am simply doin what my body wants. My appetitie is there though.
Trying not to get discouraged but i am just not one who stays down or wants to and it is againist all of my nature. Feel like I AM being punished. I know i am not but it is hard to remember why i am doin this and then i say.THIS could SAVE my life!!!!
Keep yourselves dry today!Tomm. is my hubby;s BDAY and hope i feel better?? Love all your words and wisdome ladies and know i will be more on top soon.Love to Princess, Paulie and all furkids!
Love and Hugs,
Donna
0 -
It is good Rita can now talk about all the fun of today and that helps us all remember there were so many not so fun days earlier in this journey. It is so easy to be optimistic when you are feeling good, isn't it? I am totally optimistic when I feel good. When your feeling sick, it is damn hard to be cheery. I hate the ER as you go, wait forever, wonder if you should go or not, and then go home with more meds...and with little no certainty things will get better. And then ever before you step across the threshold of the ER, you generally spend hours double-guess yourself as to whether this is an emergency afterall! I went to the ER twice on chemo. I fainted going down the steps of the basement and totally banged myself up. I had terrible bladder issues from the cytoxan and needed help. I forgot all about those times and now the memories are obviously dim.
We had a great Easter with a huge group (chaotic but fun and lots of cleanup)! And yes, I did get the dinner off the ground and it was good. I have decided that Easter is the easiest dinner as compared to Thanksgiving and Christmas interms of menu.
Wendy, the fort was just a few seconds in the Benjamin Buttons movie and they got in trouble for sneaking off into the night to go there. The fort itself, as a meeting place, reminded me of you. I am telling you because I would hate for you to go to a three-hour film to see the first scene that lasts less than a minutes.
Susan
0 -
Ladies-
Has anyone changed doctors only a few weeks before surgery? Having a hard time with a doctor and meeting with a new doctor on friday, which about ten days before surgery. I know that I may be crazy but I don't know that I can deal with his attitude. Also, how hard is it to have the expanders in and not freak out the kids? Am I just overestimating how "flat" I will be and how observant the kids (and others) will be. I'm scared that it's going to be hard to wear big tshirts all summer long as I try to keep up with 4 active kids.
Thanks for any words of wisdom.
Jo
0 -
Let's see if I can share a picture of Evan nestled under Wendy's lovely afghan.
" mce_src="width="" height="" align="" />0 -
And of course, I can't show one grandson without the other two.
" mce_src="And all of us together!
0 -
Rita Thank you for sharing the pics. Beautiful...
0 -
I posted the pictures from my laptop and it was a different process. Can you see them or are you getting the horrible red x's?
0 -
Rita....the pictures are wonderful. What adorable grandsons. You and Dave look quite nice as well. Evan ( sweet as he is ) is still so young he just looks like a baby. So glad you got those pictures in....they are sized quite nicely too....if you don't mind my saying so I think you did a fabulous job here.
See you all tomorrow. I just stopped in and so glad I did.
Hugs,
Jackie
0 -
OK...where is it? I need some sun. 35 and rain yesterday! Yuck.MamaQ/Jo...I think a lot of us have changed docs mid-stream. I was actually going to tell you that you need to be happy with your docs and you need good communication with them to deal with all of this. Remember....YOU hired THEM! NOt the other way around! You don't like them, tell them that unless things change, they are FIRED! It is so important to have a great group of professionals around you...you need to be able to talk to them. If you can't, what's the point? I changed surgeons after my bx and found a different one (I had clelan margins, just weren't quite big enough) and I found a diamond! He is wonderful. In fact, DH has been to see him for a couple of things and I have sent a family member to him as well. Changing docs may delay you a bit, but in the long run it will be worth it to you. But...that being said...at this time waiting is horrible. That we all do know, so well. CAn you ask one of your other docs about someone, or perhaps relate your concerns to them ... maybe they can speak on your behalf? It will work out...maybe not in the time frame you hoped, but a little delay now is better than being miserable later.
Rita...AWWWWWWWWWWW! YOur grandsons are so cute! YOu look so happy in the pictures! And yes, they turned out beautiful.
Susan....well, I was waiting anyway until it came out on "free" cable!
Donna...so sorry that the fatigue is taking over. Happy BD to DH! I dragged myself to the gym every morning and I felt so much better for it. I rarely if ever was tired, or took a nap. But then...I didn't seem to have a bad time at all thru any tx. I often wonder if that means it worked!!!!
Laura...you are going to Mexico? When? You lucky girl!
Blackjack...wow...what a few days you have had! You need to get back to that beach chair for some R&R. Wait...it's MY turn, not yours!
Jackie...glad you like your new oven! It must be such a treat for you to have one back!
Hope everyone else is doing well. I never got around to the rug cleaning yesterday as a book whispered to me "read me"...and I did. I am off to the gym and then home to clean. Anybody else have something new from arimidex...a little layer of Adipose tissue (read: FAT) around the mid-section? I cannot get rid of this no matter what I do! My onc said...yep, se of the AI's. Oh great...I won't have bc but I will be a tub of lard for the next 3.5 years! Well....fat is OK then I guess!!!!
0 -
Wendy-
Thanks for letting me know I'm not crazy. I did get the the new drs name from my surgeon. And they actually called them and asked if they could get me in right away and if the dr was available to do surgery the day that I had scheduled. I was either very lucky or the fact that my surgeon;s nurse is the daughter of someone there helped but either way the answer was "yes." So as long as we click, I should still be on schedule. (because this waiting is hard.)
0 -
Good Morning all
....and where is the sun. I think we will stay dry but have it gray all day. Not as warm as I would hope either. Okay...that's two strikes isn't it ????? Well, at least if we dont' get more water. We are starting to get all the other wonderful signs that summer is on the way. Yard needs a ton of work and so does everything else....inside and out.....and oh my...I'll be too busy cooking. I think I'll be doing all that other stuff in between as usual. Oh well......at least this year I will really feel like it and will be able to do it.Hang in there Donna and if your body tells you to rest....I would do it. You have the rest of your life to catch up. Txs are not really that long generally....so let your body be the judge.
re: arimidex -- adipose tissue ---gelatinous fat.....not a happy thought at all but hey...I'm here to complain --- now THAT is a happy thought.
Hugs,
Jackie
0 -
Good morning everyone!
Rita, lovely pics!
WendyK, girlfriend you know I feel exactly the same as you about the weather. blech.
Jo, the expanders actually provide some "boobs" immediately! And when you get that first fill, they will grow even more. I spent all of last summer in tank tops with my expanders & nobody was the wiser. I even got married in my expanders & filled out my dress just fine
I also switched surgeons (my PS) just one week before surgery! Hi to everyone else. Just doing the job search, and going to my PCP for routine bloodwork & stuff today. Tomorrow is my job interview, so I'm getting excited for that.
Sending good thoughts to everyone & hope you are feeling well today. Juliet
0 -
Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.
Buddha0 -
Where is that sun!!! Wendy if you find it send it my way too!!
I feel so special! Wendy made a blanket for the grandson we are expecting too. Now I know why the other G'mas were so impressed! The afghan is LOVELY!! And a perfect shade of green!! I didn't even tell her that my DIL wants "baby green" not "baby blue"!! Yup that Wendy has special powers!!!
Rita, Evan is so cute! He will take after his older brothers I'm sure. They get their good looks from G'ma LOL
MamaQ I to changed DR's. ended up waiting an extra week, but worth it. Hope your new Dr & you "click". Waiting is the WORST!!!
Jackie, your new oven sounds wonderful!! Do they offer a class on how to use it? I'm sure I'd need a couple of classes! ( some stores here do offer classes put on by stove makers)
Juliet, good luck w/ the job search. I keep hearing times are getting better but not seeing it yet.
Blackjack, your DS working at the Abbey?!!! How wonderful, I've seen a few ads for it Looks like a place I'd love to spend a weekend! I'm overdue for a vacation! LOL
Donna I too had a prob w/ fatigue during chemo & rads, but found if I "forced" myself to do at least a little walking I felt better & slept better. I figured that if I "didn't use it I'd loose it"
Laura Mexico......can you fit me in your suitcase? LOL On second thought the spa at The Abbey sounds SOOOOOOOOOOOO nice! LOL
Carol hope you are healing.
I better get back to work & then my CT this afternoon.
Hugs to all!
0 -
Hi girls -
I hope everyone had a nice Easter. Last week was CRAZY for me! DH's bday on the 4th, DD's family bday party on the 5th, DD's actual bday on the 9th, DD's kids party (rollerskating) on the 10th, coloring eggs with friends on the 11th and Easter on the 12th. I was so happy to see yesterday come around just to take a breather. Now in 3 weeks I have DD's 1st Communion. We also found out last week that DH won an award through scouting so we are off to Orlando in 5 weeks for him to receive it! Yippee!
Welcome Jo - I had a mast. on my left breast with expander reconstruction. I have 2 kids - 8 and 11. I explained to them what was going on and I also told their teachers. The expander will definitely provide some fullness right away. Since I only had a single, I used a foam insert that they gave me at the hospital so that I looked even. I only looked odd in a bathing suit. I agree with the others that you have to like your Dr. This is major surgery under traumatic circumstances. You need to feel comfortable with your Drs. Good luck.
Rita - your grandkids are so cute!
Are we doing lunch/dinner soon ?!?!
Thinking of all of you going through chemo and surgery and hard times.
0 -
Rita....Awwwwwwwwwww great pics and what a blessing!!! Nice family!!!Your hair is so pretty BTW!!
Thanks all for your comments regarding my fatigue and listening to my body!!
Cleaned closets today and got my frustrations out. Looks lilke day 2-6 are my bad days. Feelin wiped right now though as i overdid it.. and i knew that!
Hope after nap will be able to go to a nice dinner for my DH bday.. he so deserves it. Such a ROCK for me all the way.
Buddy... Hope today's tx went well and you are ok!!!
Hugs to all,
Donna
0 -
Hello, looks like I am a little late on joining this post, but I thought I would add myself to your list. I live in Palos Hills, IL. I work in downtown Chicago and take the Train out of LaGrange. I was recently diagnosed with Stage II blah blah blah.....(it is below, I get tired of saying it) Are there any ladies on here that work downtown in the loop? Seems like I am the only bald lady walking down the street.
0 -
I did it again.
I was gone from the thread so long... I'm completely lost. Reading in patches....
Berrypatch/ you are on to Rads now? CONGRATS! Even though it was everyday, it was so much better then chemo! Getting that hair back is exciting! And yet, seems to take forever.
WendyK / where DO you get those cute animated pictures?
Buddy1 - I don't think I said hello to you yet - Welcome! You found a fantastic bunch of strong & supportive women here (I'm sure you already knew that! I'm just so far behind.)
MamaQ - hello! ... waiting is AWFUL but hang in there. If you feel uncomfortable with any of your doctors, don't feel funny about switching to someone you are more comfortable with. This is about YOU.
I missed Birthdays too! SO Sorry.
Happy Birthday Bustersmom! & GOOD LUCK on your interview!
Happy Birthday elleng!
Happy Birthday JanClare!
Happy Birthday BlackJack!
TBear (Happy Birthday tomorrow!)
LauraGTO - from MARCH! Omg sorry! HAPPY BIRTHDAY (were you out gallivanting trying out the goat this past weekend? The other night I heard some loud @ss romping heading, I think, north on 12)
RitaJean - the grand kids are beautiful!
Giglgrl welcome! You are not the only bald one walking around that's for sure, you are just stronger then others to go el'natural. You found a great support system on this thread, and you will never be alone here!
0 -
Little c.....been wondering where you were...so glad you dropped in to let us know you are still with us.
Tdbear...Happy birthday tomorrow. I had no idea it was but hope you have a wonderful day. Was today CT today ( or was it yesterday afternoon ). I really do get lost in all this. Hope that went very well too.
Connie whew...you are way too busy and if you get mixed up I can see why, but I have no excuse. I really will have to think ....big calendar --- write lots of notes.
Giglgrl.....it's never too late to welcome another tough Illinois gal. You are quite brave to go hairless. I did at home but mainly for comfort. Used a sleep cap etc.....got way too cold for me otherwise.
Thought I'd get back on here and tell all of you....I just got an envelope in the mail from Peninsula Medical, Inc. They make FREE hospital-type arm bands that alert medical personnel that you are not to have blood pressure done, blood tests, IV's or injections into your arm. They look very much like the ID bracelets you are given but these are in bright Day-Glo Pink with black wording which says ALERT LYMPHEDEMA . Don't know if anyone wants one....they are free. All you need to do to get one ( I got two for myself but they snap so can be removed and kept and re-used ) is go to I think it is www.lymphdema.com and Penisula Medical will have a very small form/request for you to fill out.
This doesn't let you off the hook. There are people who still will not read this, or won't ask why you have a Day-Glo pink arm band in addition to a name tag/band. I would also as well have a nurse or whomever to write on your arm as well.....you likely will be anesthetized at some point and un-able to speak up....and the band is small and I don't think enough all by itself. Some day maybe something like a colored band ( they may already have them for other things ) may be enough to call attention to everyone dealing with you -- no matter what their role is....to take the necessary precautions. Until then....this is just one thing in the arsenal that could help. I think mentioned that I was arguing with a lab person while at the V.A. Hosp. who was being quite insistent about taking blood from my lumpectomy side arm.
Also well to remember --- this problem never goes away, and you could go years w/o a problem and then suddenly have one happen.....so you have to be as careful as you can from the first and make it a BIG HABIT to take precautions.
Ok....now I'm going. Hate to say that I had forgotten I'd done this though it was not that long ago and when I got this envelope ( mail stamp was $1.17 ) I couldn't figure out why a Medical Company was sending me a mailing....duh. Felt sort of dumb to say the least. They do send a booklet all about their medical sleeves and were a person to have the actual problem of lymphedema I would probably investigate further....but they seem more for those who actually have come down with this problem --- not so much for those of us who can get a sleeve somewhat off the rack more or less.....
See ya'll later.
Hugs,
Jackie
0 -
Good to her from you LittleC. The avatar is gorgeous. Nice meeting you, Liz. I think you look beautiful. Some people can just handle baldness with such style. I was not pretty! Whenever I see a bald woman, I feel an instant connection.
Rita, that family is so beuatiful. I love those children! Yes, Wendy's blankets are the softest, sweetest things.
Tomorrow is my retirement dinner. I am nervous and I feel like locking my doors and hiding under the bed with my cat. I feel like calling in sick! I just hate this sort of thing. Why can't I just leave in my own way........silently! I will have to go because I do not fit under the bed!
Julie, the job market is just awful. What kind of work do you want to do? How far can you travel. I can check the local papers here for a job. Tell us more.
Donna, you are doing great if you are cleaning all those closets. Take it easy girl! I want to hear
how Carol is doing. Agreed, turning right was wise. I hope you are feeling well. Gotta go!
Susan
0 -
Hi girls. I jsut got home. I had my 3rd AC DD. I felt nothing. I am a little worried, I had a different girl mix my meds. Maybe she didnt give me enough. It will probably sneak up on me and kick my butt. He sent me right to the Hospitol for an Ultrasound of te arm. Good news. It is a blood clott but not deep. So I dont have to go on blood thinners. Its upper surface area, He said apply teh heating pad to dissolve its about the size of a marble. I can quit worrying now. Hugs to all
0 -
How are you ladies?? where is the SUN~???
I know I'd been up so late most of everyday however; I feel pretty good for past few days..
Jo- That's good you find a another doctor right before your surgery and we all know that waiting is the hard but hang in there.. And the expander, you'll have little bit of fullness right away and ps will put more saline every time you visit his office and you might have little bit of tightness in your chest but won't be too bad.. just let him know when it's bothering you..
Giglgrl- welcome~! you are not late to join us.. perfect timing~!
Rita- Your grandkids are lovely~! and my younger sons name is Evan too... (what a great name huh
) I gotta put my kids pics on here so you ladies can see them..Buddy1- I hope your arm gets better.. no more worries~! You have a great smile, did I tell you that??
OMG, I gotta go, it's time for American Idol~! my favorite show... I love singing~!
Bye ladies~!~!
0 -
ELFSONG Your posts are always so sweet. Thank you for the compliment. You have a way of making others feel good. Its a gift. I like American Idol too.
0
