Illinois ladies facing bc
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Oh Connie! Thanks for posting the pictures of your family. You make a "Fab Four!" Both of your kids are so cute and that dress is gorgeous! What a happy time for all of you!
Donna, sorry that you're still feeling a little icky! The rest will help and it will also help relieve some stress when you hear from Buddy. I think we'll all feel better then! Hugs to you as you work through the next few days.
Laura, Paulie is so cute! I love the pictures!
Jo, the emotions and "lost feeling" that you're now encountering are so normal and real. This whole diagnosis is scary and we can't get away from it. You will probably come to grips with it better once your treatment plan is decided and in motion. In the meantime, we are here to listen. How I wished I lived closer! I'd whisk you away for a couple of hours and we'd talk and talk! Hang in there. Go day by day instead of worrying about all the unknowns and you will do much better. I've learned that I'm able to do anything that needs to be done for a 24 hour period...even things that I know I couldn't do if I had to do them for weeks. When I'm through with one 24 hour period, I work on the next.
I have lots to do this week. My kids are coming in on Friday to walk with me in the Peoria Walk on Saturday and I need to get their room ready so I'm off and going!
Catch you all later. The sun is shining here already....promising a pleasant day.
Rita
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Wendy- Thanks for the words. I think my husband knew how I was feeling but I don't think he completely understood until he saw it in words. He is my rock. Always has been. We went through a horrible situation with one of our kids 8 years ago and we just stood together and faced it. I hope with everything I have that we do the same now. You're positivity and Mad-as-hell approach is something that remember.
Rita- I will also take the 24 hour approach. If you break it down into time increments it makes it feel more doable.
Thanks-
Jo
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I feel like I'm either in a whirlwind, trying to get a million things done; or I'm just a lazy lump who's getting absolutely NOTHING done.
Anyway, yesterday was prom for my daughter, and thankfully, we finally made-up and had a really amazing day. I'll post a picture below.
First...
Christi - Welcome! No one really wants to be in our club, but I have to say, if you have to have BrCa, you couldn't find a nicer and more supportive group of women to help you along the way.
Laura - That coat! So classy, I bet it looks amazing on you. And YAY for new puppy pics. Remind me to tell you about my favorite Maltese from way back when. I am pretty sure I'll be ableto make the get-together on the 20th.
Wendy - That picture of your DH with the lampshade literally made me LOL.
ElfSong - I neglected to comment on how adorable your boys are! What a lovely family you have. They look like a handful, but honestly, I miss those days of having little kids around to take care of.
Rita - Vegas? See my eyes turning green? I would looove a Vegas getaway weekend about now. I am sad that I never saw Danny Gans perform, it was something I always meant to do. Thanks for the teeth reminder! I am so far behind on my dental checkup it's terrible! I'll have to call this week.
MamaQ - When I was diagnosed, one of my oldest friend's mother called me to tell me her story. She was dx'd over 30 years ago as well, and had positive nodes. She has done fine ever since. Everyone has their own story, so try to not focus on just the negative ones. I know it's hard, but hang in there!
Funny part of her story - she wore some experimental "ice hat" in order to keep her hair from falling out - and it worked! I'm not sure whatever happened to that technology.
Blackjack - I hope you're feeling better soon. Same to you JulieChicago. I wonder if all the gastro-related stuff is somehow linked to having gone through chemo? I am on medication now for a sudden and fairly bad bout of heartburn. It's still bothering me though and I'm debating seeing a GI doc for an endo as well. I' think I'll finish the meds first though.
Connie - Your daughter looks like a sweet little angel! Such a lovely family too.
Here is my daughter in her decidedly NOT angelic white dress for prom. LOL! Also, one picture of both of that I actually like - that never happens as I normally hate pictures of myself.
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Irene! WOW...you two are gorgeous! That dress is INCREDIBLE! and the shoes... OM
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Well, I wish the sun were out here ( not sure what it is going to do ) but I'm going to try and make the best of it. Had a move out/clean up job scheduled but the gal has bronchitis so have to wait til' tomorrow. Tomorrow is not great for me, but I let her talk me into it anyway. Now though no one can see me...I'm grimacing for doing it. Here's the ugly part of me all you girls....I can't figure out why she is going to be so much better tomorrow.....then today. Bronchitis just doesn't go away that fast.
Jo....you know it's just fine if you share anything I write to you. It's pretty much a public forum here and meant to help anyone who sees it.....even our dh's. Here again......they do so well "seeing" most of our difficulties and being able to be quite supportive.....but this dang disease just buffalo's everyone who has not had it.
Laura is not far from Vernon Hills, but I'm about 4 to 4and1/2 hrs. away. This is why I don't get to come to the monthly luncheons Bj arranges.....sob, sob, sob.!! Bj says she is going to arrange something where Rita lives in Bloomington----I'm a couple of hours from there, and can finally at long last meet so many of my favorite people in person. Got to remind everyone....I'm shy and tongue-tied in person for the big moooouth I am when I am writing things out. Hmmm, maybe Wendy and others are right....maybe I should have taken up a career in writing ?????!!!!!!!
Irina.....I am so far away and can't recall where all the "Illinois Gals" are, especially those farther up then Chicago. Here's hoping someone will come forward. Quickly........hugs and prayers coming your way.
Rene---oh my.....what a dress --- what a look. Well, you know Prom only happens once and it's the last time to really show your peers that you have it going on. She could be a model and that is a very, very sweet and lovely picture of you both. Hope all went well and that she has a fair share of great memories for her special night.
Donna....hope you do start to feel better today. You know, through the whole 6 mos. of chemo it never ceased to amaze me that you went thru that time period where you felt like you were only marginally alive and not sure that was a good thing......to getting up one day feeling almost quite well with an appetite. It was so very feel-able to me....and something I definitely looked forward too, yet it always surprised me that it happened so quick. The night before I would go to bed feeling still rocky and out of sorts mainly and boom....the next morning I woke up dreaming food and was about all I could think about. I think I mentioned before how funny I found it that I was just getting over five or so days of not being able to eat anything from the chemo poison.....and then what do I CRAVEand fix but tuna fish on toast............so I can have a little mercury poisoning on top the other....hmmm, go figure. And I didn't stop with just one either. Every time it was tuna fish....and I never got turned off since I only ate it when I craved it.
Well, I probably need to get out of here and try to get something accomplished...made some oatmeal or something...all that talk of food...yikes.
Hope you all have a good day....sun is trying to peek out here....I'm loving all the green and the fact that it's starting to be difficult to see our neighbors houses. Just love it. See ya'll later.
Hugs,
Jackie
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"Care inspires and gently reassures us. Lending us a feeling of security and support, it reinforces our connection with others. Not only is it one of the best things we can do for our health, but it feels good - whether we're giving or receiving it."
- Doc Childre and Howard Martin,
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Rene.......WOW!!! What a lovely daughter you have! The dress is simply gorgeous and the picture of the two of you is stunning!
Jackie, as soon as I get back from our trip west we will begin to plan a gathering in the central Illinois area. We had planned on May but I didn't want to plan too much then because we were waiting on Evan to arrive and I wasn't sure about how much help they would need. We will get that gathering scheduled for some time this summer, that's for sure. The weather will be good for traveling and everybody should be all perky from the sunshine! It's time you met these gals in person! :-)
Yep, Wendy, I think it's finally convertible weather! FINALLY!!! LOL I'm into planting this afternoon too so I need to get my clothes changed and get out in the yard. My front porch is covered with them! I must admit I do like fooling with the plants even if I'm not too creative about where I should put them. Mary Jane is the plant master! She does wonders with plants. I still think she should be working in a greenhouse somewhere!
Well...I'm off to play in the dirt.
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Hi ladies -
Thanks for all the compliments. Yes, she did look like an angel! I keep looking at the pictures because honestly, that's not how she usually looks. She was blessed with very curly hair and it usually looks very ratty. She also is a t-shirt and shorts girl so I don't see her in dresses often.
Rene - you and your daughter look beautiful. She looks very much like you. And I love the dress - lots of fun! I just love this time of year!
Glad to hear Buddy is doing well - I was getting worried.
Thinking of all of you going through tough times - Jo, Donna, Christi and everyone! This is such a great group!
Enjoy the sun everyone!
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Awww beautiful pics Renee!
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Hello Sisters, I am finally home. I have not had time to read any of the last 6 days posts. I wanted to say, thank you for your well wishes, good thoughts, prayers and vibes that were sent out to me. My mass was not cancer. I did have many problems though. They thought it would be 25 minunute laproscopy. When they went in my multiple tumored cyst the largest tumor being 4 inches was wrapped around my bowels and rectum. They had to call another surgeon in. Then for the next 3 days my bowels were paralyzed. No food no water while waiting for them to come back. I have 2 laproscopy incisions and one big one done the belly. Chemo is now delayed 4 to 6 weeks. The important thing is that it was not cancer. I cant tell you how happy I am. I am concerned that my Chemo just starts back where it left. No additional treatments. Do amy of you know any one that had to stop chemo for a long time. When they start back up did they add any treatments. It just seems wrong to me. Like I should have another one or 2 added. All my love to you. Thank you again. Buddy
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Well, Buddy, we are relieved to see your post. It sounds like you went through the mill on this surgery.
I am sure that the doctors know what they are doing ih the chemo. If they need to add more sessions they will. I think we rend to think os routine in treatments whereby they know their medicines and how they work. Ask them their rationale for not adding more meds, and they will explain it. I do know my radiaiton was stopped for a week due to severe burns, but not much was made of it. They like to push forward, but if they cannot, they cannot. So now just getter better!
Susan
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YEA! Buddy's home! Wow! It sounds like you had quite the surgery but we're celebrating your good news on this thread! We have been waiting for a post! Wonderful news Buddy! As for the chemo, the onc will add more if he feels it's necessary, but I really doubt it. I had 4 of my CMF chemo treatments and then stopped chemo for a month and a half to do the rads before coming back for my last two chemos. The CMF standard regiment is 6 treatments so mine was on hold for awhile,too. You will do just fine. HUGS!
Rita
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Hooray Buddy...your're home....relax, rest, heal---everything else can wait.
Hugs,
Jackie
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BUDDY!
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Irina - You live very far from most of the girls here, so I don't know if any will be able to refer you to someone... wanted to wish you the very best with your treatment! I hope you find someone... I wish I could help, but I don't know anyone out that way. Hang in there! Keep us posted.
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Illinois Ladies, I am glad to find this site, recommend by Ritajean. I live in Mahomet just outside Champaign. I was diagnosed in Jan and had 3 excisions to get clean margins. I got a port put in because I am her2+ and will be doing herceptin for a year every 3 weeks. I am doing the taxol x 12 weekly chemo. Tomorrow will be #7. I am having some trouble with tingling and numbness in hands and toes. I went today to get a second opinion since My onc started talking about changing to taxotere if neuroathy got too bad. I was not sure I wanted to go that direction since taxotere is not given alone but in combination with other chemo's. The only reason for me to have chemo was to get herceptin for the her2+. They do not usually give herceptin without chemo to start/ I asked the onc I saw today what she would think if I choose to quit the chemo and only do the herceptin, since that is what would give me the most benefit. She did not have much of a problem with it, and promised to e-mail my onc. She did seem to think he would be more agreeable if I was closer to finishing . Next week I will be 2/3 of the way thru and my next appointment with my onc is on The 19th when I would be 3/4 done. That may be the week we make the decision. It will all depend on how the hands and feet are doing. She said the only one who can decide on how much I can take of the Se's is me. I am asking myself if my hands and feet felt like this all the time, would I be ok with it. At this point the answer is still yes. We will see what another round brings. The onc had also been talking about doing 4 DD of cytoxan when I was done with the taxol and I was not inclined to want to do that , and the onc I talked to today agrees with me that the benefits were not worth the SE's etc. We will just have to take each week as it comes and get thru as many as we can.
Buddy, So glad you are home!
Annette
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Buddy.. my Buddy.. oh how i missed you!!!!
You have to trust the DR's on the chemo part unless you need to call and get a second opinion. Have a DR here part of Ingalls that many recommend but it would take a few weeks to get in. I truly have this gut feeling, you need to get your body to a good level of restoration before chemo could be done anyway. All you need is more infections!!!YOU have gone thru ALOT,,more than most on this jounrey!!!!Now you need to get the bowels working and all stablized. REST too.. are you sleepin ok.
You have tons of people and posts looking for you and don;t over do in that either.!!! Soo glad you are back and sorry you went thru so much.
Annette.. i am only on ony 2nd Tx.. your tingling sounds like neuroptathy as you said. Hope this can be minimized and to see your DR that will streamline all of this.Every treatment is so unpredictable and never know what can happen. Hopefully this will minimize. Keep drinking alot of water. Wish i could help.
Hugs,
Donna
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A hearty welcome to you on this thread Annette.....so very nice to see you here. I post on the older ladies thread but started out here on Dec 3rd. 2007 --- so this is home port for me. I think I mentioned neuropathy from my 4 rounds of Taxotere. Some days it bothers me and other days...I know it's there but ignore it as I have things that I have to do.....no matter what is going on. Having gotten through my 6 months of chemo......I'm glad I did it and I probably wouldn't change a thing.
I don't exactly recall my exact thoughts.....but I went from maybe needing a very small amt. of radiation ( it was thought I had very small Papillary cancer and that most had ended up in biopsy needle ) and nothing else to......6 mos. of chemo --- three different kinds, and 7 full weeks of radiation. My thought was....that big of a difference....better not fool around and hit it as hard as I can. During lumpectomy I ended up having a hidden much larger tumor. So.....doing everything I could seemed like it gave me a chance ( a much larger one ) to do all these things --- as debilitating as they sometimes seemed --- only once and then go on with life in whatever fashion presented itself. In looking back....I would do it just this way again.....but it was not a walk in my favorite park.
It's a really nice place here and all the gals are wonderful. We hold each other up, help each other out, and try to stay as positive as we can about things......and if you tune in every day....you will get a quote from me. Hope you will spend lots of time with us .
Hugs,
Jackie
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Hi Annette...welcome to the Illinois ladies thread! I'm so glad you joined us. It won't be long and the others will be welcoming you, too, so post often. The ladies on this thread are pretty awesome and will always be here for you! Both Wendys are Her 2 + so they should be able to give you some input, too. When it comes to chemo, did anyone suggest CMF chemo to you? It's much easier with less side effecfts and is often used for Stage 1 gals. Are you doing your treatments in Champaign?
Do you just have the one daughter?
Well it's time to find my trusty recliner! Once again, I'm so glad you posted. Come back often!
Rita
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Julie in Chicago, I have had both and endoscopy and a colonoscopy, both are easy. Each takes about 20 minutes. No special prep for the endoscopy. I had mine to check out an ulcer that was bleeding from taking aleve. The colonoscopy does require a little prep the day before, but you can do it with pills now instead of the awful tasting stuff. My husband had colon cancer 9 years ago and it was found so early he did not need any chemo or radiation. So now I would encourage anyone who has never had one to get one. I will be having one again this summer. recommendations are every 5 to 10 years. They give you meds that make you drowsy and you wake up when it is all over. Hope this helps you stop worrying over the procedure. It really is not bad. Annette
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Morning....got on the computer a bit late so not much time but wanted to say "HI" to Annette, and so sorry you had to be here!
I finished chemo 5/2007 - I did carboplatin/taxotere 6 rounds with Herceptin and then H alone thru next January, 2008. At that time the insurance would not pay for H unless you did the chemo first. But my tumor was 1.5cm with a small area of DCIS so with the lumpectomy and even with neg. nodes, my Her2 status was my ticket to chemo. That is the new gold standard for us girls, or was 2 years ago. Now....taxotere/taxol seems to be where it is headed, that along with the H. I did have some tingling in my fingers and toes and my one ankle did swell up a bit (after the LAST infusion, go figure!) from the taxotere but other than that, I did fine. Most girls find the taxotere easier than the taxol, but not all of us. Most of the se's from the tax's do go away, tho - in fact it's pretty close to all of us I think on this thread. It might take a bit, but we do get back to normal. Remember, H2+ is VERY AGRESSIVE and LOVES to come back as mets so you want to throw everything you prossibly can the first go around. You don't want to be sitting around, somewhere down the road saying "woulda, shoulda, coulda". This way you know you did EVERYTHING possible to kick this beast out of your body.
But, this is you and that was me. Whatever you do, do it and NEVER LOOK BACK! I hope you continue to do well with your treatment. I am hoping that Herceptin does indeed turn out to be our miracle! Fingers are crossed!
Hugs to everyone else!
(OH...Buddy...glad you are home - good grief! Paralyzed bowels???? Not fun. Ya know, if you wanted to lose a few pounds there are easier ways.....
Only kidding - glad to know that you are home, and feeling better every day and YAY!!!!!! for no cancer ! DOUBLE YAY!!!!!!)
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Good morning gals! Just a quick breeze through this morning to say "Hi" and tell everyone to have a good day. My son and family are coming in on Friday to do the Race (walk) for the Cure in Peoria with me on Saturday and I have to get a room ready for them and plan out some meals and special treats for my little guys.
Buddy, I hope you are doing better. Rest and heal!!!
Donna, I'm hoping the side effects and fatigue are less after this last treatment. Hang in there!
Mary Jane, be thinking where we're going to meet on Saturday morning at the walk. I think the survivor's walk is around 7:15 or so. WendyTY and her sister are going the night before and staying in Peoria. Hey, those mushrooms were delicious! I made up a batch last night and am saving the rest for this weekend. Thanks!
Well, I'm off to get things accomplished here this morning as I want to golf this afternoon. Hugs to all of you! Once again, welcome to Annette!
Rita
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Good Morning everyone
.I'm blowing a big kiss to the sunshine outside....and so thankful to have it. I don't do gray. Had a cousin that loved the color gray and painted her house inside and out. It ended up looking fairly nice actually but no matter....I've still an aversion to gray. Annette....you already well into the swing of things here. So wonderful that you could offer some knowledge to Julie...it's what we are all here for.
Buddy...I had the same thought as Wendy....what a way to drop a couple pounds. Going w/o food and drink ( though I did it pretty easy on the chemo ) goes so against the grain for me normally....that would have been hard for me.
Big un-planned day for me. I have a new nicer desk that was given to me for my computer room. Why the rush now...Hmmmm, but I have to remove the one I'm using as well as everything in this space as Dh and his brothers chose today. Didn't get that news until about 9 p.m. last night. There are some surprises I just don't love. Had a full day set up pretty much before this so I am going to be huffing and puffing all day trying to keep up.
Hope you all have a good one. I'll be back much later.
Hugs,
Jackie
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Saying a BIG.HUGE,GARGANTUAN hi to Mary Jane along with today's quote.
"To a happy person, the formula for happiness is quite simple: Regardless of what happened early this morning, last week, or last year - or what may happen later this evening, tomorrow, or three years from now - now is where happiness lies."
- Richard Carlson0 -
Welcome Annette! It's great that you're exploring different chemo options...you've done your homework. Best luck with your decision. It's frustrating at times, because everything isn't "black and white".
Rita - That is soooooooo nice that your family is coming for the walk! Have fun golfing today!
I have to get my butt up and going...have a nice day girls. For those recovering and going through treatment...hang in there and take it easy!
OH... AND BTW - this photo is for the new ILLINOIS girls.
Everywhere I go...my hope is LOUD AND CLEAR:
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Thank you everyone for the nice comments about my daughter. I swear, I can't figure out where the time went. How is that I'm on the edge of being an empty-nester? Then again, she'll be leaving for college, and my son will be finishing and coming home from college - so I guess I'm not really empty yet!
Buddy - So glad to hear the good news about your pelvic mass. Post-op is a huge drag, but as we all know, it takes time and REST to get back to feeling normal (or mostly).
Annette - Welcome to the group. I'll be heading down your way in a few weeks for my son's graduation from UofI. I have occasional neuropathy now from my Femara, although I never had it through chemo. Like you, I'm hoping it's a temporary thing as it's incredibly annoying when it gets bad. I do feel better hearing that others in treatment are experiencing similar symptoms, which is why it's great to read this board and share our experiences.
Ladies - A few questions.
This month, I am 4 years out from diagnosis. I feel kind of embarrassed that I haven't been good at keeping up on things as well as I should. So, I'd like to pick your brains a bit.
Taxol/Taxotere? Is that for HER+ patients only?
The use of estrogen cream to help vaginal dryness, etc is still controversial, yes? Although I've asked the sales rep (they come to my office) and was told that it's considered to be a local and not systemic absorption, so it should be fine. Of course, everything is qualified with an "ask your oncologist." I wasn't going to risk it before, but lately the situation has become.. more critical (like OUCH)... now, so I am wondering what you have been told about this by your oncs. I'm going to call mine later, and I have a feeling he'll say it's fine, but I'd like to hear other opinions.
Okay, off to buy ant traps. I swear, every springtime those buggers find their way back in. I'll see them around my front and back doorways. It drives me crazy, but the ant traps really do work surprisingly well.
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Rene....just thought I'd take a minute...
Nope! The Tax's are used for all different types of breast cancer. It just seems that now they are doing the 12 week/ Taxol or Taxotere with Herceptin - with no other chemo agent. Just like when I was first dx'd I was due to have AC and Taxol first...and then my onc went to the San Antonio BC symposium and he came back saying....Nope! Carboplatin/Taxotere for you - seems there was a European study that showed the platins worked slightly better in Her2+ gals. Now - it seems like either of the Tax's are the drug to take - good drugs!
Ii've never asked re: the estrogen cream but I am of the mind that estrogen=estrogen. However, having said that, it would all depend on my "ouch" factor! There is a thread here that deals with those issues and I am betting you could get a few more hints/ideas. If I were extremely "ouchy" and nothing else was working then yes, I would try the cream or I think there is something called an "E-string" that is supposed to work quite well.
RE: ants - I think it's Ortho who makes it...a product in one of those sprayer containers...you put it around the perimeter of your house once a year and poof! No ants inside. I did this the last 2 years and nothing/nobody found its way in. And thanks for reminding me that it is time to do it!
OK...off to spread some mulch!
(PS: yes, I agree, your daughter looked so beautiful - and so much like you!)
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Just popping in to say hello! I'm loving this weather. It definitely improves my mood. I had another Herceptin treatment yesterday. My onco changed some things up. I'm feeling pretty good today. No headache...yea! I was a little bummed yesterday to find out that I have Herceptin treatments until December. Somehow I got it in my head that I would be done in July.
NanaA - Glad you found us. I sent you a PM.
Wendy - Can you bottle a little bit of your energy and send it my way. I just got my yard cleaned up over the weekend. I am seriously behind! Hopefully I will get some of my hosta moved tomorrow and start removing the brick borders around my flowers. I'm replacing them with pavers. Just trying to change things up a bit.
Irina - Happy to hear that you were approved for Medicaid. Sorry I can't help with a referral, I am "downstate".
MamaQ and Cristi - Welcome!
Juliet - Any luck on your job search? I have an interview next Wednesday. Trying to figure out what I am going to wear this time. Also thinking about what to do about my wig. I haven't worn it in a while. I'm not sure it will fit with my nice new fro. Got to love the extra complications.
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Hi Ladies. It is a nice day here. I got my drain tubes and staples out of my breast today. Yeah! My tummy still hurts p[retty bad. They also took my appendix while they were in there killing time. Ha Ha just kidding. I am still so excited about being home. I hope you all try to get out and enjoy a little sunshine before it rains. Love Buddy
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Hey Ladies...just a quick update...We got back from Florida last night and now leaving to go to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. We fly out at 12:30 today..I don't know when we will be back. I will call Rita with any updates. Everyone take care....Ginny
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