Illinois ladies facing bc

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  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited June 2007
    Hi everyone!

    Kathy....so sorry you've been under the weather with the Taxol but glad to have you back. I've been wondering about you.

    JanClare...I will be there tomorrow. If there's anything else you'd like me to bring or pick up, just PM me. Otherwise I will see you around 1:00. We'll see how good I anticipate the travel time!!!!

    Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow. If there is anyone I can pick up and bring in on my way up there, let me know. Just PM me with your phone number and I'll get back with you later this evening or in the morning.
    The sun is out so we should have a good day tomorrow.

    And speaking of the sun....I'm off to run the vacuum so I can hit the golf course this afternoon.

    Rita
  • smerf
    smerf Member Posts: 476
    edited June 2007
    Hello all,

    I'd like to intrduce myself and thank you all. I've been reading posts for over a year while I was going through tx and beyond. Dx feb 06 with triple negative apocrine 2cm tumor, snb negative. Anyone else apocrine gland? Very rare with no studies, so no specific tx. You all got me through surgery, 6 months chemo, and seven weeks rads. Whenever I felt I was going crazy I came here and found many sharing my same feelings. My dh didn't always understand, in spite of being a doctor, so I needed reassurance from those actually going through it. Thank you all for providing that! This was the most valuable support group for me, as I didn't have much enegy to go out to groups. I finished chemo Aug 06 and rads Oct 06. Still have some se's, but feeing pretty well. Lost half of eyebrows for Father's Day, but I'm used to that!

    Thanks so much for being there!

    PS I posted this wrong way the first time, so please excuse it. I didn't mean to start this topic in another place. I did want to start with the Illinois ladies as I noticed some of us are very near each other.
  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited June 2007
    smerf.........So glad that you found this site and that it has been helpful to you. I don't know how I would have gotten through the past months if I hadn't have found it. I'm also glad that you found the Illinois group. There are indeed many gals from up around your area and they are great!!!!!

    The journey is long (I'm not quite finished yet) and the side effects, worry, and anxiety are not always over when the official treatments end. Im sure that some of the gals in your area will quickly introduce themselves. We are all here, just trying to help each other cope. Welcome to the Illinois thread.

    Rita
  • JanClare
    JanClare Member Posts: 267
    edited June 2007
    Hi Smerf, welcome. Sorry you have to go through this battle, but happy that you found us.

    We are having a get together TOMORROW (Saturday, June 30th) at 1 pm in my home in Lake Zurich. Everyone is welcome! I know it is kind of late notice for some of you bc sisters that have just checked in, but if you can come, please, please do so! Just PM me and I will send you my address, phone number and directions.

    Rita- I'm just fine with everything, but thanks for offering. I'm pretty low keyed about parties- just a general cleaning of the house, some sandwiches and munchies, a little wine or soda, and I'm ready!

    Can't wait to see everyone!
  • kater
    kater Member Posts: 447
    edited June 2007

    I live between sycamore and dekalb if you want to stop and i'll take you to lake zurich...and whoever else you are bringing, my mom has van. you are mendota, right, you could take I 39 to sycamore and over or mapquest. probably 45 minutes. and then 45 minutes to lake zurich maybe. also mapquestable! i could pm address or you could email me your address and so forth.

  • smerf
    smerf Member Posts: 476
    edited June 2007
    Thanks for the welcome! You all made me feel welcome, even while I was just "lurking."

    You are exactly right about the long journey, and I think it can be difficult for friends to give support for so long. This is a great place to come for that, because everyone understands.

    Pat
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 4,011
    edited June 2007
    Hi Girls!
    Hello to the new girls and checking in with the "regulars".

    Looking forward to tomorrow!
  • JanClare
    JanClare Member Posts: 267
    edited June 2007
    Hey all! Just got done with our Illinois gals party! I had a great time and hope everyone else did too! It was so great to meet these wonderful bc sisters and hear their stories.

    Hoping my photo comes out:

    image

    Okay, I have no idea why I can't get the correct size for the photo, but you should be able to click on the photo to see it bigger size.

    Sitting: JanClare, Laura, RitaJean
    Standing: Kate (kater), Nicki (chemosabi),Pat (smerf), Michelle
  • kater
    kater Member Posts: 447
    edited July 2007

    It was absolutely wonderful, thanks. I enjoyed meeting everyone and the beautiful surroundings. Thanks for Costco advice, I got two packages! (tank tshirts for radiation)

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 2,728
    edited July 2007
    image

    Good Morning Everyong! I had a wonderful time at the get together. Ugh! I rarely see pictures of myself and I look so darn fat! Gotta walk at least 3 miles today.

    And to think I came home and had a big bowl of chocolate mint ice cream! Back to the South Beach diet for me.

    Nicki

    It was lots of fun, very touching moment for me.
  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 796
    edited July 2007

    Oh Nicki! Lucky you, you got to meet LauraGTO! I love Laura! What a great pic and what fun to have that many sisters close by! Marsha

  • wendyk13
    wendyk13 Member Posts: 1,458
    edited July 2007
    Morning! What a beautiful day!

    You girls are all gorgeous....sure am sorry I couldn't make it but I bet you had fun. Anyone go skinny-dipping in the lake?????? C'mon....fess up!

    Turns out dh didn't have surgery as the surgeon was sick. Can you believe it? So he gave dh an rx for nitroglycerin cream to use for a few weeks and see if it wouldn't heal on its own. Would have been nice if we had tried that in the first place! Dad not doing too well so I decided to stick around the nursing home yesterday. Maybe if you guys get together again I can meet you all then.

    Well...got to get my butt in gear...have a great day!
  • Mich101
    Mich101 Member Posts: 489
    edited July 2007
    Thanks for having the get together JanClare. I really enjoyed meeting everyone, and the delicious food. We probably could have continued talking into the night. I came home and fell asleep for a couple of hours.

    Hoping we can meet again soon, if not then at the walk in Sept.

    Take care my friends, and enjoy this sunny day-
    Michele
  • kats
    kats Member Posts: 162
    edited July 2007
    Great group picture, you all look wonderful.
    Glad you guys had a good time, if there's another get together hopefully I'll be able to make that one.

    Nicki you don't look fat, but if you think you do, just stand next to me then you won't think that anymore.
    I remember you mentioning you had dark hair but I picture you with banges, don't know why........

    Mary
  • zap
    zap Member Posts: 1,850
    edited July 2007
    OHHHHH...I posted incorrectly. I sent a message but it is not here. Wherever could it be? I wanted to also say that you look like one terrific group. There is such hope, power and diginity in your faces and I am just sorry I could not join you. We are waiting about for the birth of our first granchild. I took a picture of the full moon last night thinking it could be the night, but time has passed and my daughter and son-in-law are going on ANOTHER walk on this gorgeous day to urge nature on. During these time of my post treatment days, I am reminded of my earlier years when I was huge with child.
    I come up on my one year of BC dx in August. I finally have hair and it feels like patting a sheep it is so thick and curly and white! I am worried about getting through all the tests (I need an MRI as my cancer never showed on mammograms). So I go back and forth...so excited about my grandchild and hoping all is well and so worried about my one year test and hoping all is well. Giving birth is so hopeful that I tend to try to keep my mind there. Looking into your faces, in that picture, I do see how strong women can be. Have a lovely day.

    Hey, one of you lives in Glenview and that is near me as I live in Northbrook.

    Susan (Zaps who has another message somewhere out there).
  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited July 2007
    Hi ladies,

    Wow! What a wonderful get-together! I had so much fun. Thanks, Jan Clare, for hosting it in your lovely home with its lovely view. I loved meeting all you fantastic ladies and hearing about your journeys. Isn't it amazing how different our journeys have all been?

    Well, I just had to stop at the Empress on my way home. After all, they were giving away free ice tea pitchers and glasses and I had a $25 cash coupon to get me started on the slots. No, Laura, I didn't win a jackpot! But I did leave with $50 and didn't take a cent out of my purse so I thought I did O.K. for an hour and 45 minutes of activity. Now if I would have stayed longer, I'm sure I would have donated it all back but it was about 11:15 when I finally drove into the lane. What a great day!
    We will have to do it again!

    A special thanks, Nicki, for today's graphic. You are indeed right. The Illinois ladies are fantastic!!!!

    I hope you all enjoy the lovely weather today. A friend and I are going to check out a few of the pre-4th of July activities that are going on in some of the smaller towns around here today.

    Wendy, Kathy, Connie, Susan, and all you others......I wish you could have joined us. We would have loved to meet you! We'll just drag you in next time!

    Take care, friends!
    Rita
  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited July 2007
    Hey, Susan...all grandchildren are precious, but there's always a special place in your heart for that first one! Let us know when it arrives!

    Also, I'm sending good vibes for your tests. I imagine it's pretty nerve-wracking to go through them again. I am scheduled in December for my first mammo...etc. after treatment and I'm already a little apprehensive when I dwell on it. But think what a relief it will be when everything comes back A-O.K!!!!!

    Rita
  • JanClare
    JanClare Member Posts: 267
    edited July 2007
    Been thinking about our get-together all day! So wonderful to hear everyone's stories. And our bc battles have all been so different!

    Wanted to say thank you to Pat for de-lurking and coming! You had so much great medical information!

    Kate, I'm so glad you found the tank tops at Costco. I was worried that they might be out of them!

    Rita- congrats on winning 50.00! Makes up a little for all the gas you had to buy to come up??

    Michelle- I could have talked all night too! I was so wound up, so happy to meet everyone, I was sure I was going to be wired all night. But as soon as we cleaned up a little, my hubby took the sons and their friends out for pizza and I fell into bed- slept straight through to morning.

    Okay, someone left a Canon Power Shot camera case at the house. PM me with your address and I'll send it out via mail! Unless it's Laura's- then I'll just hand it to you tomorrow.

    Let's do this again, really soon. My home is always available, but I'm willing to truck on down south also to meet halfway! Saturdays are always good for me- I work every Sunday.
  • zap
    zap Member Posts: 1,850
    edited July 2007
    I just read your blog, Jan Claire. Thank you! I too was in the Y-Me race (I walked with my daughter and husband) and it did seems like more than a 5K. I did that walk in 2006 too never realizing what was ahead of me. It is a wonderful morning and I hope to participate every year. Maybe we could get the group together for the 2008 Y-Me.

    My youngest daughter is a three time marathon runner and is planning on a half marathon coming up. Take care you yourself!
    Susan
  • Brenda_R
    Brenda_R Member Posts: 52
    edited July 2007
    Hi ladies.
    Here's my update since I last posted here.
    I have 5 more rads left (boosts), and I start back on herceptin 2 days after I finish rads.
    I'll be asking for a scan to see if the chemo and rads did it's job on my positive IM node.
    I had to get some meds from my GP because I had some neuropathy in my legs from the chemo (I guess). She also put me on Prozac because I was mentally and physically bottomed out, and wasn't sleeping. She said I needed it to rebuild my Serotonin levels. I told her I didn't want to stay on it for long though. I've heard too many horror stories about Prozac.
    I'm feeling better, just sore and tired from the rads.
    Hope everyone is doing ok.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 4,011
    edited July 2007
    Hi Girls!
    My AOL was down all day! It was quite frustrating not being able to log on.

    It was great meeting you all. I agree...we could have talked till midnight. Isn't it amazing how young we all are? I really think it's nice that we have all stuck together and helped each other through this. When I pulled away I got a little teary eyed...I just want all of us to be okay...I just want all of us to be healthy. I really hope we can get together again. Tomorrow I will park my butt at this computer and register our team...it will truly be an incredibly empowering event.

    JanClare - you did a great job being the "hostess with the mostess". Your sun room was perfect. Thank you for your hospitality and the time you spent preparing for our get-together, which you so graciously did in spite of your radiation burns. Again, thank you. (No the camera is not mine.)

    Kater and Michelle -
    You two are so strong and positive. The end of treatment will be here b/4 you know it. You both look really healthy (even without hair). I hope you both sail through the remainder. Michelle...twin 16 year old boys!...wow! I called my niece, but she's in FL and her cell phone wasn't working. I can't wait to find out if she knows your two. I don't think I mentioned it, but she's a PomPon Girl for JHS.

    Rita -
    You are SOMETHING ELSE! With your Cubs Golf Cart and your HOT convertible...I just love your energy and enthusiasm. You didn't hit the jackpot, but you did good! Glad you made it home safely.

    Nicki -
    It was great to finally meet you...especially since I had partied with your family! LOL As usual, I love the graphic...says it all.

    Smurf -
    Glad you could join us. The Illinois girls are great. Think about joining us at the bc walk on Sept. 29th.

    Marsha -
    I think you should move to Illinois! LOL You would be a great addition to our group! If you are EVER in town, you had better let me know! LOL
  • conniehar
    conniehar Member Posts: 585
    edited July 2007
    What a great pic! You girls look fabulous!

    Sorry, I couldn't make it, but I will try to the next time!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 2,728
    edited July 2007
    image

    Good Morning. Quickly popping in to say hello. Wishing you all have a wonderful day.

    Nicki
  • Mich101
    Mich101 Member Posts: 489
    edited July 2007
    Rita-like someone said, glad you won some at the casino to cover your gas expense to come see us! I too won on Sunday. I usually only play the quarter, nickel and 2 cent slots (big spender!). I was actually doing poorly until right before we were going to leave, and I started playing a 2 cent machine. I won enough larger pots on this machine to put me ahead when we actually left - it was so much fun!
    This is the first time I think that I ever came out ahead!
    Michele
  • kater
    kater Member Posts: 447
    edited July 2007
    Michele, Did you go to Elgin? Do you have to go to the basement for 25 and 2 cent slots? I've been playing the one dollar ones, I won a couple times, I only go once or twice a year when we stop after the buffet, which is usually about $8 at lunch time but it has a lot of variety and is a fun place to eat. I tried to get coupons for us online for a meeting, but they did not reply.
    It was nice meeting all of you, thank you so much for the chats! Kate
    I have only ever won, $80 last time, and something like $135, I limit to $10 usually to spend.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 4,011
    edited July 2007
    kater -
    Your avatar looks great!
  • kater
    kater Member Posts: 447
    edited July 2007

    What is avatar anyway, i was surprised they called it that,Greek to me! I have to tell you that I bought your shirt for my uncle's caregivers wife, it looks pretty on her just like it does on you...we must have the same taste! Did you look up gators yet? 8-) I think you'd look great riding around doing yardwork in one! I love yard work, I pick rocks in the fields, my favorite hobby but there is only a short time in spring and fall you can do it. I had to miss it this spring, as surgery was March.

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited July 2007
    Hey Michele, good for you! Were you at the Empress in Joliet or the boat in Elgin? Isn't it fun????

    Kate....love the picture that you posted. Also enjoyed seeing you on Saturday.

    Laura...you've got a new picture too! Super! We think alot alike, Laura. I had the same feelings and reaction when I pulled away on Saturday. I've worn my emotions on my sleeve since my diagnosis and they "over-reacted" a little.

    Hope everybody is doing well tonight and that you all have a nice 4th of July.

    Rita
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 2,728
    edited July 2007
    image

    Good Morning Everyone! Yep, this is how I feel. Think I might have had a little too much wine last night. Hoping everyone has a great day.

    Nicki
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 4,011
    edited July 2007
    kater -
    I always wondered about the word Avatar also...so I googled it and it said, "an electronic image that represents and is manipulated by a computer user". My 11 year old neice bought me that shirt for my birthday...doesn't she have good taste! And, I collect rocks too! That is so funny...I thought I was the only one who walked around my property looking down! LOL I collected enough to create a border/edging for all my garden areas.

    --------------------

    Girls -
    Speaking of gardening...I entered a garden contest in the Parade section of the Tribune...wish me luck. It would be great to receive recognition for all my MUD, sweat and tears! LOL

    Nicki -
    Ouchy...how you feel better as the day goes by. Have you tried drinking a beer? Usually that helps on the morning after! LOL Just kidding! LOL