Illinois ladies facing bc
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Hi! just a quick note...
Elfsong....your family is gorgeous! And so are you!
Humid out there, but so far nice and breezy......
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Elf, your family is so great. You also are a doll. You are one lucky lady!
Susan
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Thank you everyone for your warm welcomes!
Elf Song: I am still doing Herceptin. I think I finish in November. I am waiting for my Dr. to call about when they will put in the expander. I just want to get it done with! Is your hair growing back? Mine is growing in with more gray than I'd like!
Illinois Lady: I'm glad you all know how to be a rowdy bunch! I've been looking for a group of women who would understand what I'm going through. I tried one support group thingy, but it wasn't for me. It would be nice to socialize. My husband and family are great, but sometimes, they don't get it. You know what I mean?
I'm anxious to meet up with you all! Be well
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YOU will NEVER meet a more awesome group of girls....
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Morning! 74 already on the deck, blue skies....nice! So much better than -14 and snow!
Sarah....yeah, DH's and family are great but they don't get it. Unless you have been the one to hear the words "you have cancer" you will never really understand. I guess we are a support group but really we are just a bunch of ordinary women who met online on this thread, which was started by our Queen, Rita - in the middle of the night....and aren't we all glad that she couldn't sleep that night!
Not much going on today. I have some fresh salmon for the grill, and some baby asperagus so I think it will just be a quiet Sunday at home unless DH comes up with sone wacky idea. Hope you all have a great day!
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One should take good care not to grow too wise for so great a pleasure of life as laughter.
Joseph Addison
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Good Morning All,
I keep up with everyone daily but seldom post.
Sarah, this thread will give you laughs when you need them most, hope when you are wondering and a sense of friendship beyond words. You can shout, laugh, cry, gripe and complain with us and we understand. Just last night my dh and I were having a conversation about whether or not I should go be with my parents as my dad is having a heart catherization on Monday. I refused to let my parents come when I had my surgery. I couldn't deal with many people trying to "help' take care of me. My DH's comment last night was 'when you threw your fit' about them coming I told you it would come back at you. I couldn't believe he considered me doing what I needed to do a the time was 'throwing a fit' I had to just leave the room! He still doesn't understand and he went thru prostate cancer surgery in February.ARGHHHHHHHH! I explained to my parents at that time they shouldn't come because he wouldn't want them to see him so vulnerable.
I am triple negative, had bi-lateral mastectomy April 28th with immediate tissue expander reconstruction. I have elected not to do chemo as I felt the cons did not out weigh the pros. I hope to have my second stage reconstruction the end of Sept. MY PS puts the expanders in immediately and fills almost to the max at that time. He did send me home with a wonderful Markane pain pump. I hated to loose that friend after 3 days.
On to positive thoughts..our garden is producing in abundance. I have canned green beans, made pickles and tried my first ever jalapeno jelly yesterday. Jelly didn't set up so will re-cook it today with more pectin per internet instructions. Carrots and onions are huge and I am sharing the bounty with anyone who will take some.
I go back to the granny-nanny gig this week as my daughter returns to teaching. She employs me to care for the two granddaughters (2 &7). I was off the last 6 weeks after surgery. Hopefully it will all go smoothly. Our Jenette (7) is a loving strong-willed child that most be kept busy. Ms. Haleigh does her best to keep up with Sis.
LIFE even with BC is good. It's what we make of it and we should make each day the best it can be. Never look back with regret, only to tomorrow with hope and promise.
Peace and Blessings to each of you.
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The heat is on!!! !!!!Yikes, from one day to the next. We had some August in June and now we are having August in August. Well, fortunately we had planned to go to St. Clair Square to a Pet Smart there and I think we will just throw in a few more stores. Nothing much can be done outside today unless way early and we are still in recovery from Eric's visit. I had yesterday for some of that but Dh had to go to work at 3 p.m.
Hope you can go to the mini-luncheon Sarah !!!! Wendy is quite right.....everyone is just ordinary but came together for the comfort and understanding that only those who have to walk the same path can seem to consistently expend. We are able to share the information from everyone's
Dr. and medical team and that is a huge help. It it like taking all your best friends with you to your appt. What one doesn't think to ask the other will.Some day when I am out of quotes ( yeah, right. ) I probably will quit coming here but that will take a bit. I didn't hear someone whispering hurry up now did I ????
Hope you all have a good day and don't sizzle. Stay in and do something fun or go shopping.
Hugs,
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Morning girls...Oh do you love this heat wave. This is summer right. lol Looks like you all have been very chatty. Sorry I have been MIA, I have been dealing with some issues. I am trying to get every thing done before school starts but I need a few more weeks to finish them. We finally sold our condo and I have been busy moving boxes out. You never really know how much stuff you have until you start moving. Moving is so emtional..going down memory lane is like a roller coaster ride. The ups and downs can play havoc on you. So off for a quick boat ride to center my self. The water is my calm right now.
Sarah...welcome to our little group. It is a wonderful place to visit and lots of hugs are given here. If you can do join us for lunch. Laughter and fun is required. lol
Laura..thanks for doing that. I have been very busy so I am glad you did the mini lunch bunch.
Wendy.. how are you doing? Is dh back to school yet. I will be there this week unpacking again. I feel like my whole summer I have been packing and unpacking stuff.lol I think I need my beach chair soon.
Rita..golf has been improving when I can get a game in. I think I do like it. But my heart still belongs to boating and the water.
Jacks..how are you. Are you having this big heat way too. Hope you are staying cool.
Zap...are you missing school yet. nope I didn't think so. I am sooo jealous. lol
Elf song..your pics are too cute...your babies are so precious thanks for sharing. Trains how fun. I took a train ride in Wisc. last fall to a pumpkin farm and that was fun.
Well to everyone else I missed I hope you all are enjoying this heat wave. Just think winter is right around the corner. lol I am off to a bridal shower one of eight. So I gotta run.
Have a great weekend...remember to be healthy..be happy.
Blackjack
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Help me out here...DH??? I have some ideas but not sure.
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It's tough being a newbie! lol I copied and pasted this from another thread:
AI - aromatase inhibitors
AND - axillary node dissection
B9 - Benign (Not Cancer)
BC - Breast Cancer
Bi-Lat - bilateral (Mastectomy of both breasts)BM - Bilateral Mastectomy
BS - breast specialist/surgeon
BTW - by the way...
Bump - written to edit a thread up in the listings so someone can find it.
BWT - But what the.......!
BX - Biopsy
CHF - Congestive Heart Failure - a common side effect from Herceptin and Adriamycin
CT scan - computerized tornography, used to image the structures of the budy, especially head, neck or trunk.
DCIS - Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
DD - Dose dense, Dear Daughter
DH - Dear Husband
DIL - Daughter-in-law
DP - Dear partner
DS - Dear Son
Dx - Diagnosis
DW - Dear Wife
ER - Estrogen Receptive (estrogen receptor positive+ or negative-)
FIL - Father in law
FNA - fine needle aspiration
FOOB(S) - Fake Boob(s)
HER2 + or -, whether your tumor overexpresses the HER2 protein or not
HT - (Anti) Hormone Therapy
HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)
Hx - history
IBC - Inflamatory Breast Cancer
IDC - Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
ILC - Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
IMO - in my opinion
IMHO - in my humble opinion
JMO - just my opinion
LCIS - Lobular Carcinoma In Situ
LE - Lymphedema
LOL - Laugh out loug
Lump - Lumpectomy
Lt - Left
Mast - Mastectomy
Med Onc - medical oncologist
Mets - metastasis or metastatic
Mil - Mother in Law
MLD - manual lymph drainage
Mojo - Sex or lack of sex
MRSA - Methcillin-resistant Staphyloccus Aureua, a bacterium that causes an infection that is hard to treat and the bane of women who have had surgery, expecially for breast reconstruction (worth googling for more information)
MX - Mastectomy
NED - No Evidence of Disease
NP - Nurse practitioner
ODAAT - One day at a time
Omph (or Ooph) - Ovary removal
ONC - Oncologist
path - pathology
PBM - prophylactic bilateral mastectomy
PE - pleural effusion or pulmonary embolism
PET scan - Positron Emission Tornography, used to image metabolically active cells, such as cancer cells.
PET-CT scan - a combination of PET and CT which superimposes the matebolically active cells that ‘light up' on the bodily structures so that the radiologist is reading a single image.
PICC - peripherally inserted central catheter. When used (occasionally) for chemo, it is sometimes known as an "arm port". More often used for IV antibiotics such as may be required for MRSA and other serious bacterial infections.
PILC - pleomorphic invasive lobular carcinoma
PM - private message
PR - Progesterone Receptive - progesterone receptor positive+ or negative-PS - Plastic Surgeon
QOL - quality of life
Rad onc - Radiation oncologist
ROFLOL - rolling on floor laughing out loud
ROFLMBO - rolling on floor laughing my butt off
Rt - Right
SE - Side Effects
SNB - sentinel node biopsy
SN - Sentinal Node
SOH - sense of humor
SX - can be used as an abbreviation for 'surgery', or 'symptoms'.
TE - temporary expanders
TN - Triple Negative (In regards to negative status for ER/PR and Her2neu status)
TMI - Too much information
TX - treatment
WTF - what the fu** (use this one ONLY if you're REALLY MAD)
WTH - what the hell
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Thank you Laura!! Now I'm up with the lingo!
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You're welcome!
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Hi gals! I'm loving this heat wave. We had a golf package at Jumer's Casino in Rock Island this weekend and played the TCP course where the John Deere Classis is held each year with a dear friend and her husband. I didn't do too bad for a cripple. We got to laughing, though as she is having knee surgery in a few weeks and I'm still hobbling along to protect my back which is actually better than it was last week. Then we had a nice dinner at the casino and spent the night gambling. We'd win and then give it back.....win and then give it back.......and left about even! Blackjack, I was raised on Rock River and I love the water, too but golf is a good substitute when you can't be on the water. In fact, this golf course was on the banks of the Rock River.
Welcome Sarah!
Elfsong.............what cute kids! Hey, I like your short hair! It looks good on you! :-)
Are you staying cool, Jackie?
Hey Tanya, I'm so glad you posted! You have it right! Don't look back....look ahead. What a great philosophy!
Jennifer....good luck with the new PS tomorrow.
Well, I need to get moving. Hugs to all of you.
Rita
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Morning All! 65 on the deck, pretty cloudy and a bit humid...I see that some thunderboomers might be headed our way so we will see.....
Sarah...well, DH does stand for Dear Husband but......it can mean a few others as well...like da** husband when he misbehaves or does something stupid (which of course I know yours NEVER does)! Hopefully we can meet up on Wednesday...you can PM Laura for the particulars.
Rita...sounds like you had a great time and I am glad your back is slowly getting better. I know now that I can't take my back for granted....we need to protect it at all cost. When your back goes, your goose is cooked!
Karin....where you at, girlfriend????? My neighbors have had some people visiting this summer and the grandfather (I think) has started washing out his "dainties" every night and hanging them up every morning...unfortunately straight in my view from the family room windows. One pair of cartooned underpants and one pair of black....he obviously alternates between these 2 pair. Quite the sight out my window, let me tell you! DH is horrified, staring at the crotch of a stranger's underwear. Me too!!! I hope they are just visiting....they also thought that "bonsai-ing" all their bushes was a good idea. You know....shaving off ALL the branches of ALL their bushes and just leaving a little topknot of green. Looks so strange. And this with the front yard all dug up in spots and "rocked". Strange, very strange. Still watering the lawn by hand...takes them a whole day to walk around and sprinkle. I need to buy them a sprinkler!
Laura...how is Ari? Any new pix?
We did take a ride out for lunch yesterday and ended up at the new place I read about in the paper....Snug Harbor in McHenry. It is really cute and lots of outside dining. Their website is snugharbormchenry.com if you wanted to check it out.
Time to get moving....lots of errands to run this am and then it's house cleaning day. Have a great one!
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Hey Wendy, when you're finished with your house, "come on down" and work on mine. I'll even serve you dinner and put you up for the night! LOL
Everyone have a good day. Like Wendy, mine is packed so I need to get started. Hugs to all of you!
Rita0 -
Robert Schuller: Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.0
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Morning all, as I sit and watch the rain out of my window. Hope it cools things off and it probably will for awhile. The past couple of days it has been easy to wilt here. Not use to having all the hair on my neck and I end up with hair that is nearly dripping I get so wet. Un-expected bonus....on days like that I can get on the scale and weigh less. Still, I'd just as soon it be a tad less humid. It isn't the heat....it the humidity that causes all the discomfort for me.
Hope you are all going to have a fantastic day. I'll be checking back later.
Hugs,
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Welcome Sarah!!!You wll find great support here and good info when you need it!!! I am the Laundry Fairy here.. but i usually never get around to it and give it to Wendy!!!
My diagnosis was for DCIS and IDC in November 08, bil/mx with recon (no expanders) January 20th at Rush Medical Center. Chemo was assigned and done with that as of June 10th and still recovering!!! I am triple negative , so have no herceptin to do as you. Many here will be able to help you in this!!! so glad you joined us here, but not for the reason!!!!!We are all warrriors and compassion is here always.
Elf song.. awwwww. pics of boys are great!!!!So is the shot of the train!!!
Laura... how did you do the list of the lingo. that is alot to remember.... i always thougth DH was designated husband etc!!!!
Before my cancer diagnosis had some adrenal fatigue issues.. well they are back!!!t is very challenging and trying to avoid the crash affect during day by nutriton and no sugar or stimulants.. Next Monday i see my B.S. for my recheck after chemo. Plan to locate a good endo. Dr!!!!
How hot can it get!!!Be safe all and for all those in treatment..keep strong and know you will be that one step closer to the end. We all have been there and we are rooting for all of you always!!!
Sister in Pink..
Donna
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Just got back from my MUGA scan. They check my heart every 3 months because of the Herceptin. It doesn't hurt, but for some reason, wipes me out for the day. What's a little more radiation running through my body!?! I'm still waiting to hear from my plastic surgeon about getting my expander put in.
WendyK13: How did you know my DH never misbehaves or does anything stupid? He's the one "perfect" one! (tee hee) I wish! Actually, I don't. It would make things boring. What would we do without a bit of drama?
We finally turned off our air conditioning. We'll see if we can get through the day without it. It seems OK with fans on. My dogs are sure enjoying the sun! They are in our backyard sunbathing. We have CeeCee, a Chihuahua, and her puppy, Teddy, (he's in the picture with me)who is half chihuahua half maltese/poodle. They are both sweeties! I think I'll head to the library and look for some good DVDs to watch today. Tomorrow I'm off to my classroom to try to get some work done. Then, Wednesday, I get to meet all you wonderful women!
Be well. Do something nice for yourselves today!
Peace - Sarah
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Hey Sarah....forgot to tell you that do the quote which you probably have already figured out, but I am also the car-washing fairy. Going to rain on mine again some time this afternoon so I won't be doing it today. Also will be having to go pick B.Boss up from the groomers. He was just such a mess. Knots and lots of loose hair because I did not brush him out. She will probably charge me double. He will weigh a whole lot less when he gets to come home.
Well, I'm back to mischief....surely there is some around here somewhere. Be checking back in later.
Jackie
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Hey Ladies... Once again won't be able to make lunch bunch as I monday-thursday this week are my bad days. But now that I'm done, hopefully soon, I'll be able to come. Especially when the kids are back to school. Thanks for all the suppport. Write again soon when I have a little more energy.
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Dear Jo, hope the good days come sooner than usual. Must be hard in the heat.
Have fun ladies on Wednesday. I cannot join you as that is the first day of my writing conference. I am nervous. It is much easier teaching than being the student!
Nice Donna, to get the title of laundry fairy and then pass it on to Wendy
!Took my bike out for a very long ride. I actually like the heat.
Rita, take care of the back I am still wondering about this arimidex and all the joint pains we are collectively having. Now my knee is hurting. Probably pointless to wonder as I am going to take the arimidex pain or not. Rita, did you have problems before arimidex? I know Wendy did. And yes, yes, yes, I am taking my calcium (most days). That is why I am riding the bike; easier on the knee.
Well, this afternoon I am treating my second DD to a shopping trip. I told each that I would treat them to a shopping spree when I got my first pension check. They were so good when they were young and they did give up things/time while I worked full time. They had to go to "after school" care which was humiliating for a kid to do in our town. I am sure it is all different now and there are many, many more working mothers and after school care is an okay place to be.
Laura, wherever did you get that comprehensive list of abbreviations?
Susan
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Susan, I've wondered about the rash of joint problems and the Arimidex, too. I have had the bad back syndrome for several years but not the foot problems that I experienced early in my Arimidex days and no knee problems before the Arimidex. My fingers are sometimes a little achy, too. The back is doing better now but I still can't sit for extended periods of time. I did play some golf over the weekend and got through about 13 holes before I had to take the ibuprof. I imagine that some of mine is age related and arthritis related but I'm not so sure that the Arimidex hasn't hastened it along. Another of the gals on the "older lady" site says that many of her aches and pains are leaving after she's been off the Arimidex for several months now. She's also been able to lose some weight which she couldn't do when she was on the drug, so there might be hope for us yet!
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Morning! Supposed to be a bit less humid today....we made the mistake of not turning on the a/c last night when we went to bed...so much hotter upstairs! Won't make that mistake again!
Rita/Susan...my back pain is from herniated disc not from the arimidex. BUT.....my knees and ankles and hands has to be! Jackie once talked about getting up from bed and hobbling for a bit and that is exactly what I do every morning...hobble. Stairs are so hard first thing and I have learned the hard way to hold the coffee mug with both hands. After about 10 minutes of movement I am fine again. I still have 3 years to go on this drug and I do hear the whispering about keeping us on this stuff for much longer periods of time. I'm OK with the se's but couple them with overall aging and arthritis and I just don't know what I will do. Have to see....
Sarah....glad we will get a chance to meet up tomorrow! DH is in education as well, a principal for Elgin USD46....but his school is in Bartlett. I had 3 echo's during my Herceptin. I was supposed to get a MUGA for the 2nd one but there was some explosion in Europe and they couldn't get any isotope for these procedures...except on an emergency basis, which I wasn't. I hated the echo's as they had to press so hard with the transponder....talk about pain! Ouch.
Blackjack....are you still happy with your decision to work full-time???? DH went back on the 3rd so it's been pretty quiet around here. I am soooooo happy your condo sold! Yay!!!!!! But of course, more work for you!
Jo....sorry you can't join us but you should be feeling much better soon!
Laura.....Hugs! Hope everything is OK. When does DH have his 3rd opinion?
Gotta scoot....def. need a pre-gym shower and then off for various and sundry errands....as usual! Have a great day!
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To Achieve Your Dreams Remember Your ABCs
Avoid negative sources, people, and places, things and habits.
Believe in yourself.
Consider things from every angle.
Don't give in.
Enjoy life today, yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come.
Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their riches.
Give them more than you planned to.
Hang on to your dreams.
Ignore those who try to discourage your.
Just do it.
Keep trying no matter how hard it seems, it will get easier.
Love yourself first and foremost.
Make it happen.
Never lie, cheat or steal, always strike a fair deal.
Open your eyes and see things as they really are.
Quitters never win and winners never quit.
Read, study and learn about everything important in your life.
Stop procrastinating.
Take control of your destiny.
Understand yourself in order to understand others.
Visualize it.
You are unique of all God's creations, nothing can replace YOU.
Zero in on your target and go for it!-Wanda Hope Carter
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Oh it is going to be cloudy here most of the day and maybe a rain squall at some time If it helps the humidity I can live with it. I think tomorrow my friend Betty and I will do some running around together......a first for me. Betty and Frank love to go to the gambling boat on the river on Missouri side....and we will go there for lunch -- probably a little something else as well. Then a little shopping around St. Clair Square. Did that Sunday but you probably can't shop too much can you? Actually going to hit a couple of places we didn't have time for.
Jo....did I read it right....you just had your last treatment......if so hip-hip-hooray. I think you will love the lunch get-together along with Sarah who will get to go this time. It is just a wonderful thing to meet all the people who cheer you on and want you to do well and come through this ordeal. It makes for a unique special friendship.
Well, I am going to get my day started and see how I do. Have to do most of my Wednesday work today so I can play tomorrow. I'll be checking in later.
Hope you are all well....thinking about you Jo and hoping you are on the upswing very soon.
Hugs, Jackie
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Happy Birthday, Donna !!!!!! And a hundred more!!!!!!!!! 0 -
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONNA!
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reminder:
MINI-LUNCH BUNCH - Tomorrow (Wednesday) - Maggianos - Schaumburg
11:15/11:30/12:00 - whatever time works for you - we usually hang out for a couple of hours.
Of course - EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
edited to add: some girls are arriving at 11:15, some at 11:30 and one at 12:00...
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