Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
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Hi Laura, Not new I just have not posted for a couple of months. Did not feel well from taxol. But I am back and always look forward to all Illinois Ladies adventures.
Hugs,
Kathy0 -
KATHY!!!! I'm so glad you back. I was worried about you. So sorry that darn ol' taxol got you but am glad that you're doing better.
I sympathize with your golf game. Mine never was very good this year. Just when I started doing better, I got hit again with chemo or radiation fatigue and everything went down hill. Still, I feel very fortunate to have gotten in as many rounds as I did this year. Everybody had better clear out of our way on the courses next year!! :-)
Anyway, I'm so glad to see you posting again and how about that win at the Empress?????? Wow! That's a good payoff! See, sometimes that old chemo brain works to our advantage.
Please continue to keep us informed about what is going on in your life.
Susan..glad that your yearly tests came out good. I bet the bladder ordeal had you really freaking out! Did you ever think you'd be happy to have a bladder infection? Hey, I taught school for 33 years in Lewistown. Edgar Lee Master's home is there in town....nothing fancy or much to speak about but it is a scenic attraction. Speaking of the Spoon River Drive, it's coming up again. It's always the first two weekends in October. Anybody who likes crafts, colonial type re-enactments and flea markets should definitely give it a try. The best two craft towns are Farmington and London Mills.
I hope all you gals had a great holiday weekend.
Laura, I've caught a few of Nicki's posts on the Circle thread and she was doing well...she'd kicked the pneumonia. I've tried to post a few times there but it goes so fast I haven't been able to keep everybody straight yet. I'll still pop in there every so often and try to get acquainted. They are a nice group of gals, too.
Good luck to anyone who's going through any type of treatments or rads this week. Ginny, are you completely finished now?
I need to kick off my shoes and just crash in the recliner for a few hours tonight. I'll catch you all tomorrow.
Rita0 -
Sometimes I feel like a wimp! I am two weeks post mastectomy, port in and lymph nodes out. I have to say I hurt most of the time, the pain and discomfort have changed over the past week. I feel that heaviness in my mastectomy area. Since I had so much trouble with bleeding, I hope I am not going to have more problems. I see the surgeon Wednesday and it's not that I am miserable, but just uncomfortable. My arm is sore and my back/back of the arm, but I expected that. I just don't know why I get tired so easily.
I am going to try to catch Mazy in chat to see how she is doing. I hope I run in to her sometime at the doctor's office, we have different docs, but same center.
Nancy0 -
Laura, I've been thinking about you, and drawing strength from your smiling face and your saying that Il ladies are tough! Dealing with pcp thinking there was a new tumor in unaffected breast, and back to surgeon for tests which were all negative thank God. In fact, no other doc can feel anything and neither can I, but still scary. Then aol not working, and now that wicked storm we had in Glenview. No power for four days, and flooding in basement. I've been down there every day with my son, just throwing everything out. Mold set in and now have professional cleaners lined up. What a mess! But bright side, last August I would have been too weak from chemo to handle this. It's my new every day job for awhile, but I think of you all every day. So happy to learn that Nikki is feeling better!
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Hi everyone!
Nancy, you are not a wimp! You have been through a major surgery and you're bound to be tired! It takes time for our bodies to heal and they did a lot of damage to yours. (((HUGS))) Hang in there. What is next for you? Are you going to have to do chemo? Also, if you catch Mazy on the chat, please tell her to pop back in and let us know how it is going for her. I don't get on the chat very often, but the last few times that I did (hoping that I'd catch her) she wasn't on.
Like I said, hang in there Nancy and keep in touch, please. I've missed you!
Rita0 -
Smerf........OMG! You have had a little too much trauma in your life! So glad that all your tests came back good. We'd been wondering where you went to......
I've done the wet basement scene and it's no fun. When I was younger I went through some floods on the river and it was toss and sort...toss and sort. I still get water in my basement here since I'm on the creek flood plain and have everything UP. Even my washer and dryer sit on a wooden platform and I hang things from the ceiling. Thank goodness for the dehumidifier. That keeps the mold and musty smell away.
Come back often and check in with us! Are you going to be able to walk with the No Surrender team in late September?
Rita0 -
Hi Rita,
Nanc was in chat tonight and said you had been wondering bout me. I need to check these boards more often. I have been fine. The tumor in my spine is shrinking but we wont know how much til sept 20th.I have to be careflu how much I'm up walking around cause if I do too much, me feet swell and get sore. But its good that I feel like overdoing anyways..LOL. I've been trying to get my house in order, getting rid of clutter & etc. I do one small thing a day and it seems like I 'll never get it done but I'm sticking with it. That was really nice of your friends to throw that party for you. I hope everyone is doing good..Later Mazy0 -
I only have 3 more rad treatments counting today. I am so
glad it is almost over. Seems like it flew by..hahahaha..
We had a good weekend. We went up to Michigan to see my
husbands family. We went 4-wheeling. Not on trails but at
my brother-in-laws house. The boys had a great time and so did I.
I will be leaving on saturday to move my daughter down to
Florida with her brother. Then I am flying back on Sept. 11
Then I think I am done traveling for awhile. I will be going back to work on the 24th of Septemeber. I am looking forward to it. I want to feel like a normal person.
Talk to you all later,
Ginny0 -
Yeah Ginny....you are about done!! I will be in Vegas on the 10th-11th and 12th. Let's go have that drink that we talked about and celebrate after I get back and before you start back to work. Has your chest area gotten any worse than it was?
Rita0 -
Hi all,
I've kind of been missing in action- between computer problems, work, and feeling blue. It was the 9th anniversary of my Mom's death from ovarian cancer last week, and I've been thinking about her and how much I still miss her. I've been hit by the same kind of sadness every year, but this year was particularly rough, since now I have a much better idea of what she went through with her treatment. It does not help that she died from a re-occurrence where her vague but very real symptoms were repeatedly ignored by the doctors. It makes me shudder, since I think that's what I could be facing- since I'm told that they won't do automatic follow-up tests unless I have symptoms. Just had a hard time with it last week.
Ginny- so glad to read that you are near the end! I hope you recover quickly from rads. For me, it was like being release from bondage, never having to go back to that slab again!
Nancy- as Rita said, you are not a wimp. I'm six month past my surgery and still dealing with daily pain and discomfort. I had to start physical therapy for truncal lymphedema.
Smerf- glad to know you are alright, that your tests were okay. And those storms were beasts, weren't they?
Kathy- taxol was a bit*h. that's all I have to say. ugh!
I think Laura is our sunshine and Rita is our rock- the Illinois Gals can always count on you two!
I'm still doing a lot of training for the Avon 2 day walk in October- it's getting closer and closer! Now we are trying to gather all the stuff we need for the camping that goes with it- which we have to lug with us to North Carolina and back! Only allowed 30 lbs, which is very limiting! They did suggest that we have some sort of identifying item for our tent so you can find it in the dark (and they said "don't think a pink ribbon or pink bra is unique- everyone brings those!") So I took the "Illinois Girls are Tough" sign that Laura made for our get-together and laminated it. I'll punch some holes, tie a rope handle on it, and we'll use that for our tent marker! No one else will have that sign, that's for sure! LOL!0 -
Hi:
JanClare: Such touching comments on your mood and reflection upon you mom's cancer and subsequent death. I hear you. I have an approach/avoidance thing with mri's and scans. I know they can help with recurrences earlier, yet they play terrible games on your mind and they can "segment" life by "scan times" rather than real time....time just living. I am just processing all of it now, after one year, so my opinion is very sketchy.
I do know how you feel, as you reflect on your mom, and her demons and what fears she faced. I know, as the mother of two young adult daughters, that I just want them to live their lives and be happy and not dwell on me and my cancer. Your mom probably wanted just that for you. Thank you for sharing this thought with us.
Laura is the sunshine and yes, Rita is our rock. Laura always peeps in with a shine and Rita is just always just there! Thanks to you both!
I am back in the classroom and sweating bullets along with my 8th graders as we have no air conditioning. That, along with arimidex, translates to one, constant state of internal furnace action.
Rita, I hope you are sleeping now.
Smerf- we live so close and we should get together. I live in Northbrook and teach in Wilmette.
Thanks!
Susan0 -
Hi all-
So how does everyone feel about the changes to the board?
Different HUH? Since I joined the board in early 2003 there have been several changes to the board, the changes have always taken awhile to get use to. I'm sure it will be the same this time too.
Mary
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Hi ladies! It's been pretty quiet on this thread lately. I hope that means that everyone is doing well and enjoying the last days of summer.
JanClare...how well I relate to your feelings about your Mom. My Mom died the end of February and there's not a day go by that I don't think about her. She was 82 when she died and had battled breast cancer at the age of 81. At that time, I didn't know much about the different kinds of cancer and didn't have the right questions to ask her doctors. She had a mastect. but they didn't do the chemo because of her age. I often feel guilty now that I realize how hard that must have been for her and how brave she was about the diagnosis and surgery. She did not die from cancer. She died of complications from congestive heart failure but I so wish I would have been more knowledgeable and more of an emotional support system for her when she went through the cancer regime. We both had pretty strong Moms, I'd say. Maybe that's where we got this strength that we didn't really know we had until we needed to step up and take action. Hang in there. I do understand.
Mazy...Hey, it's so good to hear from you. I tried to catch you a few times on the chat and was never there at the right times. It is so great that the tumor is shrinking. Please let us know all the results after the 20th.
Nancy...hope you are doing better. Thanks for catching Mazy and telling her we were worried about her. So what is new with you?
Connie...I hope you are doing well and just relaxing on the weekends. Keep in touch.
Susan...I went back to the onc yesterday for my one month check on the Arimidex. He told me take Tylenol PM in the evening and hopefully it will help with the sleep issue, which is still a problem. I'm to try it for 3 weeks and see if it gives me any relief. In the meantime, I have developed a sinus infection and he put me on an antibiotic. I'm probably so worn down from no sleep that my body couldn't fight it off. There's always something, isn't there?
Laura...the walk is getting closer. Do we have a lot of the Illinois ladies signed up to walk?
Kats...I'm not sure I like these changes, but I'm always a little bah-humbug when it comes to changes. I think I'm a creature of habit. At first I found it a challenge just to get to the end of the thread. Then I noticed that the avitars are gone. How distressing! It was a major production to get mine posted in the first place. Maybe they will just magically reappear!!!! :-)
Sending out good vibes to all of you and hope that each and every one of the Illinois gals is coping well with your individual situations. Oh JanClare....I blushed when I read your comment about Laura being our sunshine and me being the rock. What a nice thing to say. Let's put it this way, Laura and I are the bread of the sandwich, but a sandwich wouldn't be much without the inner workings.......and all you gals are that good stuff in the middle. All in all, I think we're all part of a great group!
I am flying out to Vegas on Monday for three days with some friends who insisted on an end of treatment and big 6-0 celebration so I won't be around for a few days. I'm really excited! It's been quite a while since I just splurged on entertainment.
Catch you all later.
Rita
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Just thought I would pop in say hi!
I don't like these new boards. I had to go back and add my avatar. When you go on a topic it doesn't tell you how many new posts since the last time you logged in. And it always takes you to the first post so you have to go to the last page everytime. I don't mind change, but let's not go backwards!
I had Taxol #2 yesterday so I'm gearing up for the bone/joint pain to start tomorrow. So far, no neuropathy. I hope I get to skip that one.
I'm jealous of your trip to Vegas, Rita. I love going there! Sounds like a fun time!
Hope everyone else is doing well. Have a great weekend!
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Connie...
We're thinking positively about the Taxol...NO JOINT PAIN THIS TIME!!! :-) Hope you get through the next few days well. It's always good to hear from you.
I agree with your opinion of the new boards. I imagine it will be awhile before I get another avator on as I had to have help last time. It doesn't seem like much of an improvement to me but I usually don't do very well with any changes. :-) Guess I'm getting old and crotchety!
Have a good weekend and hang in there. As for the trip to Vegas...I can hardly wait. I like it there, too and it's been 5 years since I've been out there. I need a few days away and it's strictly a "girls vacation away" so we should have lots of fun.
Rita
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I am hanging in there, dealing with this huge seroma which makes it look like the breast is growing back. It's not really painful, just annoying. I am still having that continual back pain, more off to the back of my arm. I am sitting different in chairs now with more pillows, hoping that will help. I have resorted to taking 1/2 hydrocodone before bed to help the pain so I can sleep. My surgery was almost three weeks ago and I thought I would be better. He hasn't released me for chemo yet, I get the cardiac echo this week and see both the surgeon and oncologist the following week.
I tried to wear a sports bra today when I had to run errands, but it hurt too bad because of the seroma, I guess. I have one of those Softees camisoles and love it, but I bought some plain camisoles at WM today and they seem to work. I was so conscious when I first went out about using the Softee camisole and putting the fiberfill form in, now I don't care. lol
I am searching for things I can do to ease up on the back/arm pain. I am doing the walk the wall exercise and the others, but the pain is still there. I am wondering if it's normal, probably not cause nothing I have done so far is normal! lol
Nancy
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Nancy, so sorry to hear about the seroma and the continuing back pain. Glad to hear that the camisoles help somewhat.
As for the question, "is the pain normal?". Who knows what normal is with this kind of disease/surgery?? Do the surgeons think that most all their patients just sail through it, or do most women have problems/pain that they just stop telling their surgeons about because they start to think this is just the way it is supposed to be??
I have to admit that I'm only wearing camisoles and tank tops because, after 6 months, I still have swelling/pain under my arm and in my armpit. They are now treating it like truncal lymphedema (even though the therapist is not really sure if that is what I have or not) and I was just fitted for a special $250.00 long line compression bra.
So, yeah, I'm not surprised that you are having problems, since that's my story too. Seems normal to me! But, I also had chemo first (which apparently really affected the tissues in my armpit- where my cancerous lymph nodes were), so the surgeon had to really dig around and remove 17 lymph nodes and the affected tissure around them. In a sense, he really roto-routered them. I then had the radiation, which also affected the tissue. So maybe it's not surprising that I'm still suffering after effects.
Maybe since you only had surgery so far, you are supposed to be doing better and you should call your surgeon, go in, and see if there is anything more they can do. Maybe they can get you in for therapy, which might help you recover faster?
Good luck, babe! I'll be thinking about you!
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Nancy...I think JanClare said it all...."Who knows what normal is?" Everyone's case is so different and everyone's treatment and plan of attack is different. I still have some pain under my arm where they removed the lymph nodes but nothing as severe as you are describing. If I were you, I think I might call and get it checked out. It's always better to err on the side of precaution. In the meantime, hang in there.
I hate this disease. One of the ladies who took me to my treatments was diagnosed with bc a few weeks ago and another very young gal from the church was diagnosed last week. It appears to be running rampant. It just makes me sick! They seem to be making gains in the treatment of it but not the cause (or proabably causes).
Rita
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Hi Girls...
I hope you all had a decent weekend. I know some of you are having pain, some Taxol issues, etc. Hang in there...it really does get better.
Rite -
I'm sorry about the new dx's that you mentioned. What the heck is going on? It's so awful... I'm so happy you have a trip planned...you have earned it - BIG TIME!
Pam -
How was your walk...I'm bummed that I was unable to join you...I would like to try for next year's.
EVERYONE ----
Have a great week...and btw...I am sooooooooooooooo impatient! I just hate the changes with this site! Blah, blah, blah...
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I forgot to mention girls...thanks for the nice words about me and Rita! that was really nice.
Last week when Jan was feeling down...I sent her a cheer up card. Hope you got it Jan. And...I'm so glad you're putting our Illinois sign to good use! Save it...if you do the 60 mile this summer - we could use it there too.
The deadline for team registration is Sept. 14th. Although you can register after that date, but you would have to pickup your t-shirt and race bib on the morning of the event (it's a little hectic, but definately an option). (Those that register prior to the 14th...t-shirts and bibs will be sent to me and I will give them to you at our meeting place on the day of the race.)
btw - I will update all of you with details, maps, etc. once we are closer to the walk. But...let's ALL plan on meeting in front of the Survivor Tent. This way, us lucky survivors will be able to take advantage of the Survivor Tent freebies and still have family and friends close by. I'll have a sign that says NO SURRENDER, so you'll all know where to congregate once you've arrived at the Survivor Tent.
Have a great Monday!
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Hi girls -
I made it through Taxol #2. Yesterday I felt like total crapola. I didn't have as much bone/joint pain this time, but yesterday I had a low grade fever the entire day. I got those in the beginning of AC and for one evening on Taxol #1, but this was for 24 hours. I was ready to call the nurse today, but I woke up feeling fine and have felt back to normal all day. Hmm.
Best of luck to you all in the race. I would have liked to join, but with going through chemo and all, I figured I should skip this year. Maybe next year!
Sorry to hear about your seroma, Nancy. You are not far out from your surgery so I'm sure things will get better.
Take care everyone!
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Nancy -
Hope you're doing better each day...
Connie -
We would love for you to join us next year...hey...maybe consider the 60 mile in august!
Everyone-
Hope you're all doing okay. So far there's 18 team members and I'm pretty sure there will be more! IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN! We'd love to walk with you!
Be well...keep smiling! Remember Illinois Girls are tough!
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Hello everyone! Vegas was wonderful but the trip wasn't long enough and I didn't hit that one big jackpot that everybody dreams of hitting. We did, however, have a great time and I've definitely got to get back to this place sometime in the future. It's a world of its own. I was there five years ago and it has changed so much. I'm amazed! I didn't spend as much money as I thought I would spend. It was just good to get away for a few days and I love to fly the friendly skies!
Laura, I'm looking forward to the walk in a few weeks. I think Susan said that she was walking in it. Are there any other of the Illinois gals besides us that are going to walk?
Nancy, I hope you are doing better. I was hoping that you'd posted an update while I was gone. I have been thinking about you and wish you the best.
Connie...glad that you made it through this last Taxol. It's a long journey, isn't it? You'll eventually get to the end and will be able to resume a pretty normal life again. Hang in there.
Hello to all of the rest of you, too. I hope today is a good day for everyone.
I'm off to unpack my suitcase and regroup. Tonight is the closing dinner for the ladies golf league. I can't believe that organized golf is over for this year and that summer is gone. I love summer (and Fall, too but I don't love what follows!)
Catch you all tomorrow when I'm more organized and settled.
Rita
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Hi Girls -
From this thread it's JanClare, Susan and family, Rita and friend and so far that's it. BUT we have - as of today - 25 team members! I'll be e-mailing each of you with the instructions, etc.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER - YOU HAVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT TOMORROW NIGHT...Team: No surrender lives on!
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My roller coaster update:
My seroma is really big, not horribly painful. I still have that pain in the back of my arm, but I have been getting it worked out by any person that stops by to see me! My skin with the seroma has turned a pasty brown. I called the surgeon and found out it's the iron from the solidified blood clots coming to the surface. He said it will eventually all slough off. I guess iron has no where to go after the blood clots are solidified.
I am getting discouraged because of all these challenges, but I have to be patient and keep forging ahead. I am still quite tired, so I rest as I need to. I see both the surgeon and the onc next week, not sure if I will be released for chemo. I am not in a hurry, since the lymph nodes were clean (outside the sentinel node), but I would like to get it over with.
I hope everyone is doing well.
Nancy
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Hi Nancy -
Awwww...I feel so bad you're having a difficult time! Hang in there. I had an awful situation when a Hematoma (similiar) developed after my core biopsy. It was awful, huge, painful, frustrating...I feel for you! Try to remain positive - you know you can vent here 24/7...we're here for you.
GIRLS -
If any of you would like to add your name, phone #, and address to a list I'm starting - please feel free to PM me with your info. In my other thread we have done this so we can send get well wishes or b-day wishes. NO PRESSURE though...I understand that some are not comfortable sharing this info...no problem...I'm just offering to be the Illinois thread secretary! LOL
Nicki -
Have you left us forever!?!? LOL
kats -
hmmmmmmm...can I twist your arm to join our team? LOL
And you too Nicki!
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Hello everyone,
Laura-did you have IMRT when you had rads? I thought I saw this on another thread-just curious. I did 13 rads, and then my ins. apparantly approved the IMRT, so yesterday they started that. I flipped out after my 1st IMRT I think b/c it was so much longer than the other tx, and the techs don't go in and out of the room as they had done before. It was also the day after my herceptin tx which maybe made me very emotional??? Today went much better though.
Michele
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Kats...I'll help Laura "twist your arm" to join us on the walk! :-) I'd loved to meet you! And by the way....GO CUBS, GO!!! I'm just holding my breath as they always seem to find a way to blow it! LOL
Laura, thanks for doing all you had to do to get our team registered for the walk. It will be here before we know it.
Michele, how is IMRT different from regular radiation? I hate to appear dumb, but I don't think I've heard about it before. Is it a newer procedure or one that is more concentrated? I'm always glad to see your post!
What happened to Kate? Come back! We miss you and hope that you have just been busy.
Nancy, hang in there. I'm so sorry that you've had so much to deal with so early in this journey. Maybe you're just getting all the bad effects out of the way early and the rest will be smooth sailing. I'm not an authority on the issue, but I would imagine that they will be sure you are healed up a bit more before they send you to chemo.
My thoughts and prayers are with you!
Well, I need to tackle laundry. Then I'm off for a 3 mile walk. All I did in Vegas was eat! When I got home and looked at myself in the mirror I was disgusted at what I saw so I took off walking yesterday afternoon and I went to the grocery store to buy "healthy" foods. We are going to Galena (Eagle Ridge) for an overnight golf outing this weekend so I imagine that I'll find some great cuisine there, but I figured I had to start sometime so................
Everybody have a good day.
Rita
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As usual, I forgot something. Wendy, how is your back doing? I've been wondering about you and hoping that you've gotten some relief by now. Keep in touch!
Rita
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Rita & Laura- Thanks for the offer of the arm twist
I'd love to join & meet you guys but I'm not going to be able to make the race this year. I was a bad girl this summer wearing flip-flops and sandals instead of my sneakers that are fitted with Orthotics and now my feet are paying the price.
My Plantars Fasciitis and Morton's Neuroma have returned and walking is less than pleasant. I'm back doing my foot stretches and icing & hoping to avoid a trip to my Podiatrist for a cortisone injection in my foot......those injection hurt It sounds like you have a good team put together.......maybe next year I can join you all.
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