Take our poll: How are you feeling as we near the New Year?
Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
-
Hi gals. There is an upcoming Breast Cancer Walk/Run in Fox Lake, IL Sep. 8, in case you are interested here is the link. I did it last year during radiation and my husband joined me. I plan to do it again this year.
http://www.foxlake.org/Parks/Events%202007/FoxLake5K2007Final.pdf0 -
Nice to hear from everybody. I too am sorry, Reader Girl, you needed to come here, yet you will feel the warmth of so many here. I wish I had known about this board when I was diagnosed (August, 2006). I walked around in a panic for most of the time and read books about BC. I am up for my one year evaluation with all the tests and I am feeling a bit of that old panic. I do about 20 self exams a days!!!!! My breast, well what is left of it, hurts, not because of scars, but because I am examining it too much. Please know I am exaggerating somewhat!
Oh Pam! I feel such relief for you. That mri scare is not what I need!
Rita, the arimidex nausea was right away for me. I think you will be spared if you do not have it yet.
Jan Clare, maybe I will wait to register for the Chicago walk to see if the bugs are out. I am defintely doing it with my family.
I am getting back to school now and I have decided I am mentally healthier when I am distracted with work.
Later,
Susan0 -
Hi Girls -
Sheesh...lots to catch up on...where shall I begin?
Okay...
Nancy -
I feel bad you have to deal with this. This is a tough time for you. You're so dedicated to your son and mom - you're just as concerned with them as you are with you! When I had my first Mast. I just put a gel filled pad on the missing side. You can get one on the internet or through your insurance. Yes, there are special bras with a pocket on one side. Hang in there...take it one day at a time. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers on Monday and thereafter!
Rita -
I am so proud of you! You are doing good with the walking. I have to push myself everytime I go to the Y or walking. I usually end up enjoying it, but it's something we have to do for longevity. Keep up the good work. Before you know it, you'll be able to walk to Lake Zurich and walk with Jan and I! LOL Try not to be too worried about the Arimidex sides...some get 'em, some don't. Same with Tamoxifen. I've been on it for a year and a half. At first I had bad aches - joint and bone - and I have severe hot flashes, head sweats and night sweats - but it's not as bad as it first was. I hope you forego all sides! Of course it's okay to bring a make friend! Bring 50 male friends if you want! LOL If your friend is going to walk, yes, you would need to register him too. Last year my dh just waited for me outside of the survivor tent. He walked with the whole team.
Cheryl -
Welcome back...time permitting...I would love to stop by. We'll see. 7 years...quite a milestone. I hope we all can boast that someday! Good for you.
Susan -
The stats ARE scary! Supposedly, 3,000,000 women in the world have bc and 1/3 don't even know it! Your 1 year anniv will be tough (the memories are still haunting), but the 2 year will be better. My 2 year was July. I have become less pre-occupied with the diag., Mast., etc. as time has gone by. And hey...you have that new little one to keep you pre-occupied!
Pam -
So are you going to go with the MRI in 6 months? At this point for many of us, it's hard to just take their word for it and go on your merry way for 6 months! I may join you on the 8th...
Kate -
You're done! Yay...yippee! You're funny about the corn...LOL btw...Grade and Stage are different. Are you grade 2a and Stage 3a? Just curious.
Wendy -
How did the color on your mini mohawk turnout? I too love the opinion versus decision...soooooo right on!
Michelle -
Port be gone! The removal of mine was one of the happiest days of my life! I hated that thing. It hurt like he** every second of every day for the entire 7 months! I hope your arm gets better as a result...then you'd have two monkeys off your back. Good luck with rads. I hope you just breeze it!
Reader -
Welcome...sorry you have to join us. But we are a fun group!
Jan -
I'll have to check my page again...although I did get an e-mail stating you had joined our team...I'll check it out. I wish they would get their act together! Thanks for joining!
If I have missed anyone...sorry - not intentional, but right now I am almost falling asleep! And I have a whole 'nother forum to respond to! Help...LOL0 -
Laura - Yes I am going to wait 6 months, I really don't think I want a biopsy again unless they say I need one. I am spacing apart other doc appts so they can keep an eye on me with physical exams. I have my Med Onc appt in Sep and OBGYN in Oct so that should bridge some of the gap. Hope you can join the walk, it was nice last year.
0 -
Thank you to everyone for the warm welcome. It's so good to hear other people's stories.
I was diagnosed three weeks ago with high grade DCIS w/necrosis in three places in one breast. I am super lucky that it's not invasive. My heart goes out to everyone who has to go through everything associated with invasive cancer. My doctors recommend mastectomy, since there are three areas. I'm new to all of this, and mastectomy for DCIS seems extreme, but they tell me it looks like it could become invasive, and I don't want to gamble. Right now I'm trying to sort out reconstruction issues and make sure I have doctors I'm comfortable with.
We just moved here (Peoria IL) for my husband's job, so in addition to facing a mastectomy, I'm new in town. I have new acquaintances, but not a big support system. Fortunately, I have a dear, long-time friend in nearby Bloomington.
Do the Illinoisans on this forum ever get together? If so, please count me in! I'll drive wherever!!
I'm off to see the plastic surgeon. Fingers crossed.
Everyone take care,
Reader Girl0 -
Reader Girl,
These early decisions are hard to make, aren't they? Who are you seeing in Peoria? My surgeon was Lynn Jalovec in Peoria and my surgery was done as OSF St. Francis. She is one of the best and specializes in diseases of the breast. If you feel you need another opinion, you might give her a try. There is another female breast specialist and surgeon in Peoria...Denise Mammolito and I guess she is just as good as Jalovec.
We Illinois gals met this summer at JanClare's lovely house up north and several of us are going to walk as part of Laura's team in the three mile walk for breast cancer in late September. I am from Bloomington and would love to meet you anytime. If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know. You can always PM me and I'll give you all my contact info.
As for the mastect. in lieu of the lumpectomy, maybe it's for the best if they really think that it will become invasive. It's always better to err on the precautionary side, I think when fighting this demon. Then, too, do not be in a big rush to move forward. If you would feel better getting a second opinion (I did and was so glad that I did!) take your time and do so.
We'll all help you get through this and you CAN do it!
Rita0 -
Hi,
I live about 75 miles north of Peoria. My surgeon and oncologist are from Peoria. I love the surgeon who is Dr. Mammolito and I'm Ok with the oncologist who is Dr. Knost. When I was dx with invasive breast cancer last October, Dr. Mammolito didn't even consider a masectomy. She told me to have the lumpectomy followed by radiation and tamoxifen. I really think she is knowledgeable and would highly recommend her. As far as a get-together, I'd be interested too. My daughter just moved to Normal and is a junior at ISU so I will be heading that way often.
Take care and hope to see you soon,
Nancy0 -
Hello to all my friends from Illinois. I have been home and sick since Tuesday. Found out its pneumonia with pleuracy - so the pain was pretty severe. I was coughing up blood too. So now I have some time to get on the computer, and Im sweating so profusely, I really need to go back to bed.
Hoping everyone has a great week-end
Nicki0 -
Nicki:
I am so sorry you are sick. I forget where you live but I know you worked at Whitehall and that is near me (Northbrook). If you need anything contact me. Tell us (when you get stronger) about it. I think the sweating is good as it may be getting the virus out of you. Here I am, the English tecaher, telling the nurse I think sweating is good.
Take care and I am thinking about you. I am serious about being there to do errands or whatever.
Laura, Jan and Rita: Should I go ahead and register my family for the Komen Race or should I wait? You are right, Jan. It shows zip action on registration/donation.
Have a fun weekend and again, Nicki, get well.
Susan0 -
Jan, Rita, Susan, everyone:
Try this link...I had one person give me this link and I had one person give me the first link I posted: I guess I had a 50/50 chance of posting the correct one! Arghhhh...this year's procedure has paled in comparison to last year's! Thanks for your patience. Please let me know if this works or not...
http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=14615500 -
LauraGTO: Dont you have a team? Are you a team member. I would considering doing this with a group of you all.
Zaps: Thanks for the well wishes. Sweating is very good, means your fighting the infection. Maybe we could get together one I am up and about. Have been off for the last 3 days.
Nicki0 -
Nicki -
Hope you get better soon! Yikes...I've never heard of pneumonia in the summer. Get plenty of rest and drink LOTS OF WATER!
Yes, I hava team...I checked out the link I posted today here and it does have an option to register.
If you girls have problems with it - please let me know! Thanks...sorry for the confusion...I am really piss** at the website people! This has been a nightmare, but hopefully we can all get registered!0 -
Hello Ladies,
Today is my seventh anniversary. I want to let the newbies know that it gets better. Treatment for some is rough and seems endless. Take care of yourself, be good to yourself. It isn't the end of the world if the dust bunny population grows. Let someone else worry about those things.
Wishing you all good wishes with your treatments and a speedy return to a healthy life.
Cherryl0 -
Hi ladies -
I haven't posted in awhile and don't have the time to read the millions of posts that I missed. Hope all is well. I had a 2.5 week break from chemo and was to start Taxol this past Thursday. The break was nice as I started to feel somewhat back to normal (my throat is much better), but it was also kind of depressing as I did not want to start up chemo again. Anyway, I got over it and trudged back into the hospital on Thursday only to be told that my counts were to low!! Talk about disappointing! It's nice to have another week off but this just prolongs things! I want this to be over. The nurse said I was just under the cut-off so it shouldn't be a problem next week. Wish me luck.
Thanks for coming in to offer support, Cherryl. Seven years - that's awesome!!
Sorry you have pneumonia, Nicki. My niece in TX just got over that too. Crazy!0 -
Cherryl -
Congrats! You are quite an inspiration to us all!
Nicki -
YES...you should definately join...and bring dh and Peggy and her dh along too - even the organist! LOL Anyone/everyone is welcome to join/register. You don't have to fund-raise! Are you feeling any better?
Susan - Jan -
THANKS FOR REGISTERING!
Susan -
If any other family members want to walk, they will have to register. Of course - you don't have to reg. the little one! LOL
Reader Girl -
Hope all went well with the ps.
-----------------
Hope you're all having a great weekend.
KATS -
Hope you're having fun with the "girls".
Michelle -
Last weekend I was at Johnsburg High! My niece is on their pom-pon squad and they hosted a pom-pon seminar for the little girl wannabees! I took my younger niece to attend. I asked Nicole if she knows your sons...I think she's afraid to say yes...she's afraid I'll be spying and getting info on her! LOL0 -
Connie: Im sorry to hear your chemo needed to be postponed. I was supposed to do dose dense, but my chemos were cancelled alot. Finially finished after 4 1/2 months. I do think its good to get that extra break though. Pretty soon it will be done - finished - kapoot
Cheryl: A big congratulations to 7 years. Im dancing with you.
LauraGTO: What an absolutely delightful story read after meeting up with you on that Sunday. That one made me smile.
Nicki0 -
Laura: I have Paul and myself registered now. My two girls and my son-in'law are considering the run and asked me to wait until they make up their mind. They should know whether to walk or run in two weeks. Baby Adeline (one month old) will "stroll" with one of us!
Susan0 -
Reader-Welcome, sorry you are joining us here. These IL ladies are wonderful and will help you.
Cherryl-Happy 7th anniv-that is wonderful! I agree with you that treatment does seem endless.
Nicki-thinking of you and hoping you're feeling better soon.
Connie-I know what you mean about just wanting to get this over with. I had to skip my herceptin last week and was disappointed knowing that I would need to make it up sometime! let's just get it done!!!
Laura-Kids are funny that way aren't they? did your neice enjoy the pompon program? If you're ever that close to me please give me a call(I'll pm my #)
Is it correct that I can register up until 9/24? I want to see how my rads and herceptin are going before I sign up.
Michele0 -
Connie -
Sorry about the delay! I can imagine how you must feel. Hang in there...
Nicki -
Hope you're feeling better today!
Susan -
Up until Sept. 14th they can register as part of our team. And, yes, they have until Sept. 24th to register as an individual. The only difference is that they would have to pick up their race bib and t-shirt at Grant park the morning of the walk. The more the merrier...strength in numbers!
Michele -
Same as my response to Susan...yes, you have up until the 24th. Hope you will be able to join us (more importantly I hope you're feeling well enough - to join us)! Nicole LOVES the pom-pon squad and yes, my littlest niece loved it! She practiced the routine she learned the rest of the weekend! Yikes...the jumps were loud! Nicole is a real good "dancer" and it keeps her motivated to exercise and eat healthy, etc., so all in all, it's a good thing! They just appointed a new coach for her squad and she is really motivated! I'm sure I'll be going to some of her games this season...I'll let you know!
Here's the girls:
0 -
Hi everybody! I hope you all had a nice weekend.
Nicki...take care of yourself. That pneumonia isn't much fun! I'll be sending "get well vibes" your way.
Connie...so glad you're back. I've missed you! So if everything is O.K., will you start your Taxol on Thursday then?
Michele, it's frustrating having to postpone treatment isn't it? We just want it DONE! Hang in there. It will be done soon and you certainly don't want a treatment when there is a problem.
Laura, thanks for the info on the walk. Also thanks for sharing you picture of your nieces. They are such dolls!
Well...today is one week on the Arimidex and so far, so good. Keep your fingers crossed that this continues! :-)
We are planning an 80th birthday party for my aunt. I'm off to buy plates and napkins, etc. It's going to be held Saturday in Sterling so I'd better get my act together. It's rainy and gloomy here so today is a good day to get these things accomplished.
Good luck to anyone having treatments this week.
Rita0 -
Hi ladies----
It's been a B U S Y summer for me with the grandkids. Our step-granddaughter left yesterday to go back home to Bloomington, she was visiting us for a week and celebrated her 13th birthday here. The house seems very quiet now with just Alexandra.
Rita- You should be done with treatment now, hope you're feeling great.
Laura and JanClare- Sounds like you two have had some good walks together.
Reader- Welcome to the group.
Nicki- Sorry to hear you've been under the weather, I hope you're feeling better.
Cherryl- WooHoo 7 years, you're an inspiration to us all.
Best wishes to all who are still in treatment
Here's a slideshow we made for our 'smiley' granddaughter Bri. I uploaded it to photobucket. It normally shows on Windows Media Player but I couldn't figure out how to post that here so I went with photobucket. It's a little grainy and choppy viewed on photobucket.....I hope it works!
Click on the picture to start the slide show:
Mary0 -
Kats-Thanks for sharing the pictures-they are great. Bri and Alexandra seem very close. (How many animals do you have?)
0 -
One of my sons did recognize your niece! Small world isn't it?
0 -
Good morning everybody. Just wanted to say a quick HI before I head for Peoria to meet a friend who taught school with me for several years. It's retail therapy again today! :-)
Thanks Mary for sharing the pictures of your girls. They are so cute.
Wel, Laura, I think I have Dave and I registered for the walk finally! I'm really looking forward to seeing everybody again...and walking for such a wonderful cause.
Michele, glad to see you posting more. I hope that means that you're feeling lots better!
Check in, Kate. We miss you!
Reader girl...what did you find out at the plastic surgeon? How is your treatment plan fitting together? I tried to call you yesterday and will try again today.
Good luck to anybody going through treatments or surgery today. I feel a little guilty that I didn't go back and check out everybody's schedule for this week. I'll try to do better next week.
Rita0 -
Michele- Bri and Alexandra get along great, they're 13 months apart in age and the only cousins each other has. Bad part is Bri lives so far away from us, she currently lives just outside Shreveport, LA but will be moving to Charleston, SC in a few months.
I see you noticed the pets in the slideshow
, yep, I have a lot. I worked in the Veterinary field for 16 yrs and a lot of the pets I have are a product of that. Currently I have 5 cats, 1 dog, 1 rabbit, 6 birds, 1 rat and a 75 gallon aquarium.
Rita- Thanks for the compliment on the girls. This summer was fun but I can honestly say they wore me out.
Mary0 -
Rita - I had my port removed last Thursday and my arm swelling seems a little better. I had a herceptin treatment yesterday and then I had my first rads today. I was a little nervous going in but the techs are very good and explain everything, and it really did not take too long.
I'm just taking everything day by day. I really feel pretty good today. I'm hoping everyone else is feeling good too! Hang in there!!!
Michele0 -
Susan - Rita -
Yes...you four are registered! Thanks! - it will be great! Can't wait...
kats -
Awwwwwwwwwww....... they're so cute! You did a great job with it! When the heck did you find the time! Just a reminder...if you would like to join our team...the link is in an earlier post.
Michele -
Great...rads went well. Hopefully you'll just get a little crispy and a little exhausted toward the end of treatment. That's how it was for me...good luck. It will be over before you know it. If you don't know...there's a forum for those starting radiation each month...just fyi...they share tips and advice...etc.
-----------------------
I am reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally busy! This weekend is when all the girls from my October 2005 chemo thread are coming into town. Coordinating everything has been a challenge! LOL But I can't wait to meet them all. We all started chemo together in October 2005 and have stuck together every step of the way since...we will finally meet each other! We have named ourselves the Rock-tober Chemo Girls and we truly have managed to ROCK ON! There's 18 of us...14 of which will be arriving on Thursday or Friday and staying until Sunday. They're coming from Australia, Israel, Great Britain, Canada and all over the US. There won't be a dry eye in the house! The girl from Great Britain is coming with her dh and two children and they'll be staying with us for a few days past Sunday. This is amazing...we started planning this about 9 months ago...and low and behold...it's here! If you don't hear from me in the next few days...that's why. Take care...be well.0 -
Hi to everyone. I just scheduled my left mastectomy (September 19th). This whole thing is getting "more real" by the moment!
I'm super lucky that I just have DCIS (high grade, multiple locations), but I'm not looking forward to the big changes ahead. Sometimes I feel really strong, like I can sail through this, and sometimes I feel like it's all just too much. I can't believe I used to feel critical of my body! Now I'd just prefer to keep everything "as is". But my health is more important, so....
I'm getting reconstruction -- implant on one side, with a lift or some sort of "matching" on the other side. I put matching in quotes, because I'm guessing it may not be a perfect match! Let's hope it's close. The plastic surgeon's photos looked wonderful; I hope my case can come near to those. Please God, I just want to be able to wear a swimsuit!
Kats and Laura, what adorable photos!
Way to go to everyone doing the Breast Cancer Walk/Run!
I did my first Susan Komen Race for the Cure earlier this year, and never dreamed that I'd now be one of the people benefitting from all the research.
Rita, thank you so much for the phone call! It was great of you!
Hope everyone has a good evening. I'll keep in touch. There really are strength in numbers!
Reader
Peoria0 -
Hi everyone, gosh I haven't been on the boards for a looooong time! Been catching up on the summer activities I missed out on last year! I swear we drove to my mom's house 3 times this summer. Nice being able to swim again.
I have a question for LauraGTO. What is the team name for the Komen walk? Is it No Surrender again? I really want to do it this year!
Everyone take care!
-Paula0 -
PEEJAY -
OM - I WAS WORRIED ABOUT YOU! Glad you checked in...yes...it HAS BEEN A LOOOOOOOONG TIME!
And yes, our team is No Surrender again this year! I hope you can join us! Here's the linkie:
http://www.active.com/donate/chicagorftc2007/nosurrender20070
Categories
Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.