Illinois ladies facing bc
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Happy Friday to all of you. It has been a very busy week for me as I try to play catch up at home. I really miss being home...but will be going back FT next year...sniff sniff. I really do like the kids and I have made a really big impact about making healthy choices with them. A little info can go a long way. If you can touch one child's life then it is all worth it. You teachers know what I am talking about. Change is good for all of us.
Marina....glad to see that you are doing well with your txs. I worked out after my rads tx with a personal trainer. I felt good as she helped stretch the sore arm muscle's. Keep up the good work.
Zap... I have been to the Clock Tower Inn many times. It is sad to hear that many of the cute shops are closed. Hope you are having fun.
Donna...sorry to hear about your beloved pet. Hugs to you. I too have lost a dog many years ago due to seizures. Pets will always be in your heart. hugs to you.
Laura....are you working lots or just sunning on the deck. lol
Wendy...were are you???? driving the Z? How are your eye's and hands.
Rita....no golf today as it is raining. sniff. How are you doing.
Jackie...home along and loving it. I do like it when it is total quite, no dh or dd just me. Cosmo, chocolate and a good book . Life is good!!!
Buddy....3 month cks are good. Pretty soon the one year mark will be here. Congrats.
Connie...how's boating season going??
Well I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Was going downtown today but the Hawks parade will be there. Just too many people for me. Off to run some errands..
Remember to be healthy....be happy. Enjoy life!!!!!!!!!!!
BJ
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Hi everyone, I am adding my Mom to this Illinois post. She lives in South Elgin and has just been diagnosed with Stage IV. Already know about the mets to bones, going for pet scan tonight, and a slew of tests next week.I am of course worried for her.
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Hi jms11. I am so sorry about you mother. I can tell you are taking good vatr of her. She is probably stunned and just having you gives her comfort.
BJ, you are most certainly settling in to summer. You sound so relaxed. I know that you like to stay home, but do keep in mind that your post included so many good things you do with kids and staff as the school nurse. You really do have a chance to help both to make better choices Your job provides you with a life purpose. I miss that aspect of teaching and am in the process of searching for it in another opportunity.
I am heading for the pool. Paul is out early today, so we will head for the antque shops. This has been a nice little overnight.
Susan
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Good morning all you beautiful Illinois ladies!
Well, it's been two days since first treatment and I have to say again, what a non-event. Other than a bit of the runs (which the imodium and probiotics seem to have helped tremendously), I feel pretty decent. The tinest of headaches and my eyes still feel weird but I'll take it. Just calendared out my regime (both Chemo and Radialogy and I should be done
by 10/19 (crosses fingers!). Trying to get an appointment to get a wig fitting and a hair cut for Monday at the Cancer Institute at the hospital where I go. Waiting for call back. Patiently. Would love to have it done today as I am off of work and it would be SO convenient! And found out my medical insurance will pay for ONE wig up to $1,500.00! Yikes! Would so prefer 2 or 3 different ones in different styles though.
Yummm, Ann Sathers! Used to live in Chicago and every few weekends a bunch of us would go there and eat cinnamon rolls and drink coffee till we were sick (a nice kind of sick though!).
Haven't done any exercising yet as my feet hurt (I have bad feet, knees and hip), and where I live there really isn't anywhere to walk (no sidewalks and very busy street, so no walking on street gutter). But I may drag out my glider (you know, take all the clothes off of it) and set it up. Very low impact which is good for my knees and hip.
Waiting for the steroids to wear off also. Boy I wish I could take those ALL the time. NOTHING HURTS! My body hasn't felt this good in 20 years!
And I do notice the "smell" of my urine. Yuch! I wonder if it (the Chemo) leaches out of my pores - you know like when you eat too much garlic. That would be horrible to stink all the time. But, this too shall pass.
So everyone have a wonderful day and stay strong. We are in this to win it!
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Blackjack.........just enjoy every day of your summer, gal! We didn't get your rain. I played 18 holes and then I went to an hour golf clinic for ladies. I need to cool down and then find the shower! It got plenty warm out there.
Brat...so glad things are still going well for you!
jms...so sorry to hear about your Mom. We will be here for her! (and for you, too because it's tough being the caretaker, too!)
How you doin' by yourself down there, Jackie? Are you holding the fort together? When will Denny get home?
Well I need to regroup before dinner out tonight. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Catch you later!
Rita
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Just wanted to check in...
jms66...I live in South Elgin, had surgery at CDH and chemo/rads at Delnor. If I can help, let me know!
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From the woods, here in So. Illinois. It has rained twice today and you could cut the air outside with a knife. Wow --- it is really sticky out.
I will be on my own until late this coming Wednesday. I do enjoy being alone to contemplate life in single fashion. No one to answer too nor to plan a schedule around for anything. I also have a girlfriend who ( her hubby works part time and it is long hours when he does ) insists on taking me out when she wants to go out ( she does not care to dine alone ) and due to this will never let me pay. Probably a good thing since lots of those times I'm a little thin and would have to stay behind and wash dishes. She is the nutritionist and I am always asking food questions of her.
I think we are due to have more of this blasted rain tomorrow -- but will have to get through it best I can. Hopefully, now that I can be a bit more relaxed with my schedule I can get abit more done at home. Laundry is sort of ongoing. for the time being. Event though I am cleaning out my closet, I feel like most of it has to be freshened up --- so a light wash and dry and then off to the consignment shop or thrift store. Anywhere -- mainly just out of here.
Glad you are all doing well, and welcome to jms66. Sorry to hear about your mother. It must be really upsetting and scary for you. I have read so many stories about ladies being kept in check for years with their Stage IV cancer. Definitely what I hope for your Mom.
I'm off to find a nibble of something so I can take some medicine.
Hugs, Jackie
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Wendy You crack me up. If you do get a breast exam at the hand doctor , I would be suspicious. Ha Ha
BJ ime. Wow thats a big step. It sounds like your devoted to the children.
jm66 I am sorry to hear about your mother. We are glad you have found us. This is a strong bunch of women.
I took the kids swimming to the strip mines in wilmington today. It was a hot one.
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Thanks everyone for your kind words! My mom is just in shock and grief at this point and not being in her shoes I feel helpless. I have been on the stage iv forums on this site,and everyone is so uplifting as well. I have learned about the multitude of treatments out there and remain optimistic for my mom- although she isn't.
Wendy, my Mom's tesing is all currently being done through "The New" Sherman Hosp. She had her first onco. appt. Wednesday and my first impression of him was great. He seems like a hard hitting advocate for my mom! I know all this "hurry up and wait" is hard for her and wants to get going on whatever lies ahead!!
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To solve any problem, here are three questions to ask yourself:
First, what could I do?
Second, what could I read?
And third, who could I ask?
--Jim Rohn0 -
Happy Saturday to all. Oh the weekend is here but the weather is not cooperating very well. Hot, humid and rain in the forecast so no boating this weekend. sniff sniff. Looks like rain all week. Oh I do need the sun and water. Last night dh and I had date night and went to our favorite restaurant for dinner and mango martinis yum yum. Our waitress who is a friend ask me to talk with a women who was there, who just was diagnosed with bc. She is a lung ca survivor, so this is new bc for her. I told her about our lovely support group, so if she does sign in her name is Sue from Schaumburg..
I find it very sad that there our so many of us out there with this disease. Everywhere I go I meet someone new who had bc. I know that friendship and support is the best cure for helping us through this journey.. So hugs to all of you who are in tx, out of tx and for those who are living life to the fullest. Friendships are the circle of life. They have no beginning and have no end.
I hope everyone has a great weekend....remember to be healthy...be happy...enjoy your life!!!!! Life is to short not to have some crazy wild fun. So go out and do some crazy fun stuff, I know I will.
BJ
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jms66.. so sorry about your MOM and know you are feeling alot of emotions as this kind of event affects everyone!!Stay here and we will help. Just having a place to vent and to be heard without judgement or opnions can make the journey a little easier if possible.
Brat.. SO glad the tx;s are goin well enough and you are able to stick to your routine for the most part. Just remember, if a day comes and you need rest, do it!You are goin to have ups and downs and so far it is a good balance you are finding!! Hope you are drinking lots of water still too!!!
Have a graduation party today for a neighbor i knew for several years and is now out of HS. What memories!! Glad the weather is not all rain, but man feel very non productive today..sigh.
Enjoy the weekend and all those with issues and appts.. good thoughts goin!'
Donna
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Oh I forgot.. My one year check up with BS (chemo done June 10-09) went very well and is pleased with the healing. GLAD that i is over as you said Buddy... NEVER looking forward to these kinds of appts!!!0
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Hello you gorgeous Illinois ladies!
Well, it's day 4 since my first Chemo and it's starting to hit me now. The steroids must be wearing off cause all of the old pains are coming back (arthritis) and I feel sort of yucky. Nothing tastes good, everything sort of tastes like drywall (if I knew what drywall tasted like!).
Was supposed to go out for dinner with my brother and SIL but cancelled. No sense throwing good money away for something I can't really enjoy. Though I do have a real hankering for ice cream!
My kitties must know I don't feel so good, cause they follow me EVERYWHERE. Always looking up at me and giving me a little "meow" and nudge (head butt). Be lost without them. They are such sweeties. It's amazing such little creatures can give so much comfort.
But I signed up for for some classes at the Life Enrichment Center at the hospital. Healing Touch, a FREE massage and Relax and Feel Great. Even signed up for a session of Reiki therapy (which sounds very interesting).
AND...Monday I go in for a wig fitting! I won't get it that day but they will order it for me. Not sure if I'm going to cut off my hair that day but I better bring a scarf just in case. I guess I've got about another week till it starts falling out in gobs. BIG SIGH! And I'll ask her to write down my head measurements so I can maybe order another wig from a catalog (the TLC catalog from the ACI). There are a few I saw that I thought were quite cute. But I'm not sure if I should order an extra wig as I'm sure they will be different styles and probably different lengths so it could confuse people (one day shorter hair than the previous day and vice-versa) Oh, who the heck cares anyway!
Oh God I just did an AWFUL thing! My phone rang and it was LifeSource asking for a blood donation. I bluntly told them to please take my name off of their list as I'm on Chemo. Dead silence on the other end of the line. "I'm so sorry, I will take care of that for you". Now I feel awful. I guess I could have been a little more nicer.
Well, going to put on some makeup and go get some ice cream. I deserve it!
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Brat...timing is just about right. I didn't want to say anything, but it does tend to get ickier on the later days. I had 3 "sicky" days with each treatment. Like "sicky" in that I was on the couch most ofthe time. Do not feel badly about the blood thing. You are going through something big, so be kind to yourself and don't feel any guilt. And yes, the cats probably do know something is off. My cat used to just stare at me when I was down.
Blackjack, your son should join a competition on the food network channel. The weather is so awful that I have been watching the food network all day. DH is making pizza from scratch.
jms, one thing that may help your mom is to tell her that you will remain faithful and be there no matter what. Mothers (I am one to two adult girls) hate to worry their daughters and be a bother. It is a new role to need someone, and it doesn't feel right that it is your daughter that you are needing. My daughters were so good to me and I just knew they would be there if I needed them. They never got emotional or upset, just took charge when they needed to.
Have a nice night!
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Hi everyone,
Brat,I think we all pretty much knew, but hey -- there is always hope that the one in a million who won't crash will be an Illinois Girl -- cause we are all tough. Yes -- the dreaded se's ( side effects ) are not too hot, but the duration is usually not too long. A few days and suddenly you will sense/know that you are going to feel much better -- get your appetite back etc. etc. People told me --- be careful when you eat your favorite foods as you could accidentally produce for yourself an aversion to them. Didn't happen to me, but I did get an aversion to water which was my all time favorite drink. I am drinking a lot more of it now --- but I was doing a lot of Kool-Aid so that I could get plenty of liquid down. Lots of these gals did Crystal Light Lemonade ( strong flavor are best I think ) but I'm allergic to Aspertame which is the sweetener in it so I could not use it.
Ok ladies....I'm telling on myself now. I never mentioned before that I couldn't do the Crystal Light because I knew it worked really well and I thought it did you as much good to have something you could turn me on to as it would have done for me if I could have actually used it. So, that is when I got the bright idea to do the Kool-Aid and put Splenda in it. Splenda has never bothered me
Hi to everyone else.....I'm definitely thinking about you today as it pours down rain here. Got a surprise at one of the feeding areas......well, you know about Rocky. I leave him a bowl of Puppy Chow and he is happy to leave the cats food alone.....well, today, I saw Rocky acting nervous and lo and behold....two more raccoons come out from under the fence. Rocky got very testy with the second one.
Wowie !!!!! Not liking this at all. I'm going to have to come up with a plan I think. We will see in the next couple of days.....should they keep coming.See ya all later.
Hugs, Jackie.
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Here's something for you Brat -- hope you feel better soon.
Jackie
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Brat.....It is timing for this happened to me the same way too.. few days after and usually after my neulasta shot. I had same symptoms as you and your taste is icky too.. just keep doin all the side things as you plan to do. Reiki is an interesting thing to have done!!! YOU are doin the best you can and are entitled to say what you said on the phone.. it is the truth and sometimes we just are blunt as we cannot do one more thing!!!
Jackie.. Hope the racoon situation is rectified as the babies do not need any more upsets!!!rocky sure sounds like a character!!!!
Susan...How did the homemade pizza turn out. You are killing me..Ann Sather;s cinnamon buns and now pizza from scratch... i love all this and i want a taste...lol.
Hope the storms stop as i came home from a grad party and my Lacy was all torked out as she hates thunder storms.. came home in time to calm her and now she is sleeping and at peace.
Hugs.
Donna
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When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator. Mahatma Gandhi0
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Morning girls! Hope you're all making the best of this weekend. Very cloudy and dreary here...where did the sun go!
Brat - Hope you're not feeling too badly today. No doubt...chemo is a roller coaster ride. Hang in there. Have you looked into the Look Good, Feel Good program?
Donna - Thinking about you..hope the pain of your loss lessens a little each day.
Jackie - That kitten is absolutely precious!
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Our race car engine is finally done! Now we just have to flat bed it to another shop for a tune up and then it's ready to hit the road. It's been waaaaaaaaaaaaay too long!
Yesterday we drove to WI to visit some friends. The weather was crappy, but we were spared rain. Three hour drive each way...yikes...that was NOT fun. But I crocheted the whole time.
My five year cancerversary is next month. I was diagnosed on July 21st - 2005. The past 5 years have gone by sooooooooooooo quickly. Lots of ups and downs and twists and turns, but overall I have been more fortunate than not.
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A friendly reminder/request: PLEASE remain extra attentive this summer while driving. Lots of motorcycles on the road. My friend was hit last weekend while driving his motorcycle by a distracted driver (woman pulled out of a Burger King). He is really messed up (Dr said had he not been clothed in good quality motorcycle clothing and helmet, he would be dead). Last summer a woman motorcycle driver was hit and killed just down the road from me. The woman who hit her was painting her nails while driving. So sad! PLEASE be extra cautious when changing lanes, etc, too. THANKS!
(Edited to add: I rarely use my cell phone while driving, but if I absolutely have to, I wear a headset or find a parking lot to pull into.)
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Good morning.. I second Laura on the motorcycle reminder.. as the woman last year was killed a block from my house.. and my DH is out there riding..
Brat- for the yucky taste - I use Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste. I also rinse with water/baking soda/salt after each meal and use Nistatine (onc prescribed). I put lemon in my water as the sugar/saccarine is bad for us... Any other complaints, let me know and maybe I have some other ideas as I am going through this myself...
Marina
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Good Sunday morning,to everyone. Lots of excitement lately ( earlier this morning ) with deer roaming through the yard. My dogs inside spot them and set up a barking, howling cacophony which is really hard on the ears. Having lunch with a friend today. Her hubby works on the week-end so we do this on occasion. She is a truly fun person and we spent all our time gabbing as though we had not seen each other for a yr. and it might have only been two weeks ago.
Laura,how wonderful to be so close to this milestone of having five yrs. go by and you are still going strong. Do you ever look back at your life path and find patterns ???? I have had lots of times of looking back at patterns ---- sort of makes you think of that Kris Kristofferson song " Why Me, Lord ".
Wonderful to get the reminder of being cautious as we drive. I think I would have such trouble reflecting on my life if it included my killing someone just because I wanted to paint my fingernails.. This is always a good reminder.
Off to do some work in the kitchen....got to unload my dishwasher. I'll be checking in later today. Hope you are all going to have a teriffic Sunday.
Hugs,
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off topic motorcycles, ON topic, organ donations allowed after 5 years...(cancer)
Bring back the helmet rule. My boyfriend 21 years ago this month was hit when someone came out of a parking lot in Bensenville, IL.
He is irreplaceable to me.
I sat at Loyola 1.5 days while he was on life support at Loyola, every 20 minutes his grandmother and I alternated going in to see him in his coma...I prayed the whole time, mostly under a blanket I was so cold...in the waiting room, people came and went constantly...same thing....motorcycle accidents......families came and went.......it was June, busy season there...... the organ donor guy with his box lurked and lurked...he got my Jack's organs....I know Jack would have wanted it that way...he told me once he wanted people to have something when he died.
On the road, I scowl at cycle riders without helmets and I think, "how really selfish you are"....to your family and friends...
On another note, I happened onto a hospital open house on organ donation, and if we have cancer, we can donate our corneas, if we are "cancer free" five years, we can donate the rest of our organs. That is what they told me at Delnor Hospital. Congrats to Laura, at five years!!
Kater
Mom is starting fourth cycle of Xeloda chemo pills, she's been on chemo since I quit in 2007. We are trying to regain the weight she lost this past 2 or 3 weeks. Block Center has been somewhat disappointing, they do not answer when I ask when to take each supplement with the chemo pills, meals, in between, etc. TWo bottles of stuff they recommended have alphoic acid in them which bothers her I think because of the sulfa, I think they give a generic list of supplements to take, as they gave the list when we went, and only modified it a little after many vials of bloodwork (she was low on vit b6 and vitamin D and iron)
I would like to find someone more local to test my blood for deficiencies. My Mom, Sister age 60 and I are on vitamin D...50,000 units, Mom 3 a week, I had one a week for a month and now once a month (I think, i have to check that, i lost my bottle!). I do not know if it's d2 and d3 or what, prescription does not say.
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Right on and Varrooom Laura!!!You race and your drive and you show them ALL where you came from and ARE today. yeah!!!!LOLOL..!!!! SOOO right about the driving and distractions and all those wasteles deaths and accidents!!! That is why I am for no phone zone in car anymore!!! I don't trust myself and i am not goin to have any regrets!!!!
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Laura, do you ever race in Elkorn, Wisconisn? We are going there today (not for a race) for a college reunion. Just wondering where you race. I know they have a track (right word?) there.
Susan
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Thanks Girls!
kater - That's so sad about your bf...how tragic! Hugs to Mom! Thanks for the update. D3 is the one you should be taking. D and D2 is NOT easily absorbed.
Susan - We don't race at Elkhart. We race in the 1/4 mile strips. Great Lakes, Byron, Joliet.
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Here's a drag racing youtube so you all have an idea of what we like to do in our spare time:
http://noolmusic.com/google_videos/gto_drag_racing_at_sdr_1.php
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Thanks for the posts about motorcyclists! BE AWARE, BE SAFE! Distracted drivers is the #1 cause of all auto accidents. Honestly, I personally could not happily live the rest of my life if I ever caused someone's death due to irresponsible behavior.
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Thanks, Laura. I always get Elkhorn and Elkhart mixed up. We went to Elkhart Lake for the reunion today and went by the Great Lakes strips off the expressway. I would like to do that one day (not race, but watch). Meanwhile, we had a ball at Elkhart with very, very old friends. The lake was so lovely, but it was overcast. DH went to Marquette and so many of his old frat brothers live around there. They get together and like to act like young guys again. It is very nice!
I know there must be an increased number of motorcycle accidents as we saw signs on all those overhead oasis places warning drivers to be aware of motorcyclists. I had a funny experience on the bike path. A guy stopped me and very kindly explained that I was not wearing my helmet properly and that I should move it forward over the forehead head and tighter around the neck. I thought that was kind of him to even take the time.
Take care!
Susan
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Sounds like you're ready for LOTS of fun, Laura! Go get 'em! Good Luck!
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Susan saw this, this morning and thought of you:
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Hi Illinois Ladies
Donna-Found you guys - thanks for the help.
Went back and read several days of posts and everyone has lots of great info and suggestions. Am looking forward to getting to know everyone a little better. Can really relate to alot of what everyone is going thru and makes it seem a little normal (if there is a normal with cancer and chemo). Having my 12th (and final) Taxol treatment tomorrow and will be celebrating like crazy after the side effects wear off. Not sure what the doctor has plans for after. This to me is the scarry part. What next? I'm glad you guys are out there for support. Thanks,
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