Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
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Well...my photos finally showed up.
Nancy -
Gosh...I feel so bad you had to go through that. It will get better. The meds that are available are amazing...I truly hope you can rest comfortably and hopefully the next round will be smoother. Hang in there...your prognosis is very good! You just have to weather the storm. We're here for you 24/7! Remember...Illinois Girls are Tough!
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HI girls,Its been a really long time since i checked in on this thread .Ive recently moved to another small little town,so there hasnt been much time.Plus the new board kinda threw me off for a while.Im going to go back to school in october.Im not sure for what but i just decided to try it out and see what happens.So hello to all and i hope everyone is doing good and i will check in again soon.
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Great pictures from the walk - you gals are awesome!
Nancy - sorry to hear you had such a rough time. I hope they can nail down something to help next time from the get-go.
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Wow...It was a great weekend in Chicago. We had a great time while we were there. Rita....sorry I didn't call you. I forgot your phone number at home. We were at the Navy Pier til about 5pm. I tried looking for you but no such luck.
Looks like you guys had a good time walking. I will be there next year.....
I go on Friday to my oncologist for my results from my bone and cat scan. I will probably be starting either arimidex or tamoxifen.
I will let you all know on Friday....
Ginny
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Nancy:
I too send my good wishes. I know you must be feeling a bit discouraged. I know they will find just the right dose for you so that you are not feeling sick. It is all so different for each person. I hate like hell to be sick to my stomach, so I totally feel for you.
The pics are great Laura. I love Long Grove. I took my niece and nephew to the strawberry festival there last summer.
I got a terrible call on Sunday evening. One of my co-wrokers, a teacher at our school, had a heart attack and died. I am in shock, as is the whole school. I bring this up, not to dampen everyone's feelings, but to let you know how lucky I feel to be alive right now. One year ago, this woman sat and listened to me talk about my breast cancer and she listened to my fears about being sick. Never did it ever occur to me that one year later I would be here, relatively well, while she would not be.
I guess we all have these wake up calls, as Rita refers to them. The students are all shaky and now I get to comfort them. She (this co-worker) once took care of me, I take care of them, we take turns taking care of each other.
Susan
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Nancy:
I too send my good wishes. I know you must be feeling a bit discouraged. I know they will find just the right dose for you so that you are not feeling sick. It is all so different for each person. I hate like hell to be sick to my stomach, so I totally feel for you.
The pics are great Laura. I love Long Grove. I took my niece and nephew to the strawberry festival there last summer.
I got a terrible call on Sunday evening. One of my co-wrokers, a teacher at our school, had a heart attack and died. I am in shock, as is the whole school. I bring this up, not to dampen everyone's feelings, but to let you know how lucky I feel to be alive right now. One year ago, this woman sat and listened to me talk about my breast cancer and she listened to my fears about being sick. Never did it ever occur to me that one year later I would be here, relatively well, while she would not be.
I guess we all have these wake up calls, as Rita refers to them. The students are all shaky and now I get to comfort them. She (this co-worker) once took care of me, I take care of them, we take turns taking care of each other.
susan
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I could use a new pair of glasses.
How long after chemo are you supposed to wait for eyes to be normal?
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Good question Kater-These last couple of weeks I have noticed my distant vision is really bad, seems like all of a sudden. I too was wondering if I should wait a little to see if my eyes get better (or worse). I will try to find some info on another thread.
Michele
(PS Rita did you get my pm?)
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OMG - I thought my screwed up eyesight was due to my age...now I'm wondering! The timing is right...
I can barely drive at night now. And even with my glasses, I still feel as though my sight is not "crisp" like it used to be. That's the best way I can describe it. Geesh...the gift that keeps on giving!
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Yes, my eyes are a total mess and eyes just do not age that quickly in one year. It has to be the chemo. I now have to buy "cheaters" as I cannot read anything wihtout glasses. I have them stashed all over the house and the classroom. If I forget my glasses when I go to a restaurant, my husband has to read the menu to me. I am just not sure it gets better. The chemo brain is lifting a bit, or at least I think it has. My kids would probably disagree with me on that.
Susan
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Hi all-
Nancy, I'm sorry to hear you had such problems with your first chemo. I had a bad first one as well, but I was also dealing with a skunk hanging around our house! Once the skunk went away, I didn't have too many problems. I hope they can find a good combo of meds for you.
Zap- my condolences on the loss of your fellow teacher and friend. Life really does throw a lot of curveballs.
Kate- I was having a lot of problems with my eyes right after chemo, but I think things have gotten better. I no longer feel like I need a new pair- except for fashion reasons!
Ginny- good luck on your scans! Let us know what is happening.
I'm feeling pretty good, but I'm still going in on Wednesday for a Upper GI and Gastric Emptying Study. The doctor is pretty sure that I have Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome with Gastroparesis- which is where your stomach just basically shuts down and stops moving. But, "given my history" they want to do all the tests to make sure there are no tumors, etc.
But tomorrow, Laura and I head downtown to be fitted for our fashion show outfits! Can't wait!
Here are some more photos from RFTC:
Rita, JanClare, and Susan (zap)
Susan's Daughter, Susan, Dave (Rita's friend) and Rita
Dave and Rita
No Surrender!
Laura coming across the finish line!
For Mom and Me!
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Hi fellow Illinois survivors. I am new to this site so hope I'm following the right protocol. I was diagnosed in October of 1994 at the age of 46, so that makes me a 13 year survivor. I am thankful for every day of health. This site is so interesting. Some of the terms used are familiar to me and some aren't. I've learned a lot in the two hours I've been sitting at the computer reading about all of you!
Mary Jane
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Nanci, so sorry you went thru that. Compazine is like taking nothing for me also. Hope it all gets better. Hugs mazy
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Susan -
So sorry about your friend. That's really sad...
Rooni-MaryJane
Welcome...wow, 13 years...that's great to "hear".
The pictures are great!
Hope you all have a great day!
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Really great pics from the walk. Jan Clare, you hair look so cute!
Susan, my condolences on the loss of you friend. The students are lucky to have a compassionate and caring teacher like you to help them through this. Life is like what you said, I think. We all take turns helping each other through the difficult times.
Kate I had the same pap smear problems you did. I had my routine check 6 months after chemo ended and it came back "ASCUS." That was my first time in my life that it wasn't normal, and as you know, I was the oldest one at Jan Clare's gathering. That's 42 years of normal! They did the HPV test, and that was negative, so I was to return in 6 months for a repeat pap. I had that this past Aug. and it was negative. My onc was surprised, because she said 6 months is usually long enough for it to return to normal. She did say that most of the unusual things seem to happen to me, and she laughed. Looking back I too am smiling, but at the time I didn't think I could face adding more doc appmnts to my schedule. I still have tearing eyes since my second ac rx. I use the same cheaters as before, but my opthomologist said it can take months for our eyes to normalize. We are now thinking that I will have some permanent tearing in my right eye. But, I'm alive and enjoying each day!
Nanci So sorry the chemo was tough for you. There are so many good drugs out there that I'm sure they will find the right combo for you. Hang in there!
Laura and JanClare You're going to have such fun choosing you fashions for the show. Is there a way to get a ticket to attend? I'd love to come if there is.
Michele Almost finished with rads? Congratulations!
Everyone Have a great day! I'm off to my first shower since surgery. This experience makes me thankful for the little things I used to take for granted. Thanks to all for the well wishes. Surgery went very well, but I have been sleeping so much the last few days that I didn't come near the computer until now. Today I feel as normal as possible with a big bandage on my breast!
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Hello everyone!
Rooni...so glad you found us again! So you've moved from Lyndon to Deer Grove, eh? At least now you have a great "chicken place" to eat! We used to go there lots of Sunday evenings for chicken...right on the main highway. Keep in touch. It's great to see your avatar and to be able to put a face to your name. Visit us often. We 've missed you.
Susan, so sorry to hear about your friend. Wow! That creates a major "hurt" for you, doesn't it? It also is a reminder to all of us just how precious life is and even if we're going through treatments or going to doctor's appointments that we'd rather not be going to...we are still alive and enjoying this mild fall in Illinois. My thoughts are with you, the kids at school, and her family during this sad time.
Ginny..glad you had a good trip to Chicago, too. Good luck on your scans. Please let us know how they come out.
JanClare...so glad that you are feeling better. I will be thinking about you tomorrow and sending good vibes "north." Thanks for posting this last group of pictures. Please PM me your address. I know....I had it at one time and of course can't locate it. I have some hard copy prints of the walk to send you.
Mazy...you should be getting results this week. I'm thinking about you and hoping that the tumor is disappearing.
Connie...we're heading to Aurora on Thursday to the new Mall. It's time for some serious shopping. It's only a one day "shop 'til you drop day."
So, speaking of shopping......what type of fashions did you models select for the fashion show? Since I can't come that night I'm hoping you will post pictures. In the meantime, give us a verbal sneak preview! :-)
Michele...you're on the countdown with the rads. How many more and how is the skin doing? You should have received a PM from me. If not, let me know.
Nancy...I didn't get alot of relief from the compazine either so I'm hoping they will try something different for you next time. You shouldn't have to be sick.
Mary Jane...you found us. For all the rest of you ladies, Mary Jane is a dear friend of mine. We taught school together for many years. She was the Math teacher and I was the science teacher. When I was diagnosed, she was the first person on my doorstep, bringing pink ribbons, books to read about bc and LOTS of food and encouragement. She's a "peach" and I encouraged her to join us as it's so inspirational to have such a long-term survivor in our midsts. Also, she'll fit in real well with this great group of Illinois ladies. She's going with me in December for my first mammo and is a wonderful support anchor!!!
Well, I am actually working this afternoon. I'm proofreading the Illionis state scholastic bowl questions for the guy who bought my business. Since he has a deadline, I think I'd better get back to work.
Talk to you all later.
Rita
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I wanted to say welcome to Rooni and Mary Jane as well! Happy you found us. Mary Jane, always happy to hear about a long term survivor!
Mazy, Ginny and Nancy (and anyone else going through treatment who I might have forgotten)- I'm sending you positive vibes and prayers. Hang in there!
Had a wonderful morning and afternoon with Laura! Days spent with other BC sisters just make me want to gather everyone together again! Is there anyway we can have another meeting- soon?? Maybe down in the southern or western suburbs at a restuarant, something like that?? Or if anyone needs help with anything- laundry, shopping, doctor's appointments, insurance paperwork- maybe I can come and spend some time with you. I'm really interested in helping on a one on one basis.
Well, I struck gold at Ann Taylor Loft. They couldn't have been nicer. One outfit, but I swear I got just about everything you can wear at one time! I loved what they had picked out for me and ended up with a plaid skirt, green blouse, brown sweater vest, brown boots, brown hat, winter cream-colored coat, green leather purse, necklace and earrings. Yes, really, all that! Valued at over 500.00! Oh....my....lord! I probably won't get too much use out of the skirt, but everything else totally fits into my life! I can't wait until we get photos and can post them.
We found out a little more about the fashion show. They are closing down Ann Taylor Michigan Ave store and having just survivors and their guests. Including nibbles and champagne! We are walking a runway, so I probably will stay away from the champagne until after the show! This is going to be very fun- and intense! I told the people that were helping me that this was going to be like my birthday party, since it will be just a few days past my one-year diagnosis!
Anyone who wants to come- I'm pretty sure we can get you tickets. After all, you are survivors! Just let us know and we'll call the Koman office.
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Wow JanClare.............what a haul! Geez, you even got boots! I can't wait to see the pictures of you two all "dolled up" in your new duds! I'd love to be able to come up and see it but I'm teaching a class as the Children's Museum that night so there's no chance.
Everyone have a good Wednesday! Hope all you ladies get good test results. We'll be looking for progress reports. I think I'm heading for the recliner!
Rita
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Hi:
Thanks for your "comfort words" about my co-worker/friend who died. I walked into my homeroom and my students just stared at me with looks that quickly tranlated to me, "Are we okay?" and I was able to care for them so they knew they would be okay
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You ladies are so kind in that you get it, and I thank you for that. It is clear that it is not just only about breast cancer. We all understand "loss" and I thank you for helping me to deal with that.
Jan Clare: Drink the champagne, girl! You deserve it!
Rita: You are always so guiding. Thanks for being the leader you are!
Smerf: Hey, we live 15 minutes away. How about tea after my classes? You made it through so much with only a bandage across your breast! You are stronger because of that and I would like to meet you!
Laura: My DH still wants to know if you actually have a GTO? To own one was once a dream for him and would perhaps get him through any sort of mid life crisis he might experience in the future!
Women Facing BC in Illinois I have not mentioned: Good luck and thank you for all you give to me!
Susan
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Bad news, Smerf- I don't think I can get the ticket.
They have a very limited amount of room in the store because of fire regulations. Sorry- I so wanted anyone to come!
JanClare
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Hi to all,
Susan-I also would like to send my condolences on the loss of your coworker and friend. You and your students will give each other strength.
Jan/Laura-Can't wait to see pictures from the show-how exciting!
Rita-I did get your pm, thanks. Tomorrow is my last boost. I am so glad however I will miss the rad techs, they were so nice. Tomorrow I am going to bring them a box of chocolates and a thank you card letting them know how I will miss them (but not that noisy machine!!!) My skin held up pretty well so far.
I've been meaning to ask this - how does one become the writer of Scholastic Bowl Questions?
Hi and welcome to MaryJane and Rooni
Nancy-hope you're feeling better.
Hello to everyone I missed.
Michele
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HI everyone, thanks for all the eye and pap information, I will not worry and I'll go order some new glasses. 8-) The eye dr. can decide how much to change it I guess.
Question: Man i HATE that firefox wont let you paste anymore!! Did anyone fix that? Explorer still works...but when I read the help section on this dilemma it seems like a runaround fix that might not work. I should not have upgraded firefox I guess.
see you in explorer!
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Has anyone played volleyball or wallyball?
I played tonight and kind of freaked out when I met a really hard serve with my one arm (the BC de lymph noded arm)...
would that hurt or cause lymphedema?
I understood I could play again...but the radiation doctor wanted me to wait until a month after radiation (December)...but the tech said that I should be able to play till the radiation makes me too sore. I have had 11 or so radiations.
Any advice?
I thought my worst fear was having the power port hit (and that will come out probably after I get ovaries out)....
I was going to wait with wallyball...as you get hit harder with that ball...volleyball is my main fun these past 10 years!! (Before BC)
\
Maybe I should where extra sleeve? But I could never hit ball well with even a shirt on arm.
FLU SHOT, SHOULD WE GET ONE? I haven't gotten one in years, since I am not in crowds or in the classroom anymore.
Humana recommended:
People 50 years and older- Residents of nursing homes or long term care facilities
- All children between 6 months and 5 years of age
- Women who will be pregnant during flu season
- Adults and children 6 months and older with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart or kidney disease, or __weakened immune systems___
- Children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long term aspirin therapy
- People with a condition that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, such as brain injury or disease, spinal cord injury, seizure disorders, or other nerve or muscle disorders
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kater -
Don't know much about v or wball...can't help you there, but as for the flu shot... my Onc recommends it. I just got mine at Walgreens yesterday afternoon. It's easier than making an appt with my Dr. and they submitted it directly to my ins company. It's great that you're up and out again in the athletic fields! You go girl! I'm so bummed...I saw a used golf cart for sale yesterday. Test drove it...it was pretty fast and it handled well...thought it would be great for our forest, since a GATOR is not in our budget this year. I went back to buy it and it was sold! Bummer...it would have been perfect to haul fire logs, etc. back to the house...oh well...
Michele -
Were you at the J-Burg High's homecoming game on Friday?
Susan -
Funny you should ask...we bought a mid-life crisis GTO! LOL We wanted a vintage model, but we love the speed of the newer ones, so we bought a 2004 and had a custom engine (403 stroker) built for it, in addition to a custom built transmission. Actually, we joke...the only thing that's stock on it are the seats! LOL We both race it and it's a lot of fun! After my diagnosis, I would take it for long rides, 2-3 hours...it was one of the few things that calmed me. It's about 593 HP, but still street-driveable. I just bought a new racing helmet...I'm going to have it air-brush painted by a local artist with a pink ribbon design I created...you know...we must all RACE FOR THE CURE! LOL I can't wait to see it when it's done. Tell your dh (dear husband) that my dh had a '70 Chevelle SS back in his college days, and was a grease monkey then and still is. We too, love the old GTO's - especially THE JUDGE! We race our Goat in the 1/4 mile at Union Grove and Byron and have also visited Joliet's Route 66 track. We usually meet up with a group of Mustang Cobra dudes at the tracks. Awwww...it's okay to want a Goat during a mid-life crisis! LOL
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GTO, now that you say that! I'm fairly certain that's the silver GTO that was in my driveway from my boyfriend from 1989 (who died from a motorcycle accident)!
It had a fast motor!! He was tooling down Rte 80 on the way to see me and blew the engine, & had it towed to my driveway.
Finally someone came and got it, but I didn't mind it there...reminded me of him. I was early 40s when that happened, those were the good old days!
His cousin still has a chevelle in his dad's garage, and so does my cousin across the fields... probably 74 models or so...both were dark brownish?
Once at a baseball game the jock cousin locked his keys out, my sister's 73 monte carlo key opened it right up! Go figure! Oh those memories!
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I was wondering about the flu shot. I usually get one, but wasn't sure if it was ok while going through chemo. I meant to ask my onc yesterday, but completely forgot.
Susan - more condolences on the loss of your co-worker. Another reminder to enjoy every moment.
Thanks for checking in Mary Anne - we love to hear from long-time survivors!
Rita - hope you have a great shopping trip today. I am not a shopper at all and haven't even made it over to the new mall!
Sounds like you models are having a great time getting ready. Can't wait to hear all about it. It brings back memories of when I worked at Venture in high school and I was picked to be a model in one a store fashion show. It was fun, but I was nervous - being a teenager and all. You guys will do great!!!
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Connie -
I started chemo in the month of October...and my Onc highly recommended it then. Hope you're feeling okay!
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Hi:
All this talk about GTOs got me to google some images. I remember that a high school girlfriend ( I am talking l965) was promised a GTO by her rich dad if she promised never to smoke. She promised and he gave her the GTO. She picked me up in that gorgeous car and the first thing she did when we were off my street was light up! Life isn't fair.
I got the flu shot a few weeks back. I know that last year, while I was getting treatments, the onc. told me to get it. I also was exposed to whooping cough by a student and he said to get the antidote for that.
Susan
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Susan -
Great story! Very funny...I told my dh...he cracked up too!
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Good morning ladies.
I'm not too happy with my Cubs today. Wow...what a disappointment! Let's hope that they pull off a win on Saturday or we're back to "There's always next year!"
It sounds like everyone is having a good week. Has anyone heard any news from Mazy? If not, I need to hunt her up in the chat room and see what she found out at her appointment this week.
Nancy...hope that you are doing better! When is #2???
Connie...there are 120 stores at that Mall!!!! It was a whole day adventure. I bought a couple of pair of jeans for me and several things for the grandkids. Also picked up a few unique things for friends for Christmas as I hate to do alot of last minute Christmas shopping. There was lots of information plastered throughout the Mall about BC Awareness month but not many BC items to purchase. I was a little disappointed as I thought I'd find lots of interesting things to pick up. I decided that I walked more than three miles yesterday!
Rooni...also wanted to tell you that I think it's wonderful that you're going back to school. My hat goes off to you!!!!
And speaking of hats...also wanted to tell you that Dave's sister got me a black hat with the bc ribbon symbol on it at the Dollar General Store. It's really a nice hat and the tag said $5. I'm assuming she got it in Springfield, but thought I'd check out the store here in Bloomington. I know that sometimes if you ask about a particular item they do a search for you and let you know where you can purchase it. Some stores even get it for you.
Kate.....glad that you mentioned the flu shot. I hadn't even thought about that.
O.K....all you procrastinators! Laura has compiled a list of personal info for five of us. It is so nice to have this information. If you haven't gotten your name, address, birthday, date of diagnosis, email address and phone number to Laura, please P.M. it to her. The only people who will get this info will the other gals on this thread who want to "stay in contact" and "support each other in every way possible." Also, Laura and JanClare are thinking about another get together and it's always much easier when you have ways to personally contact others. Some of you don't check in to this site every day or week and we want to be able to include you, too. Thanks to you sisters who have already provided this information.
I'm off to clean house. My house looks terrible! I guess you have to stay home to clean it and lately I haven't been around much. I guess I should get busy. I only have 2 hours before our tee time at the golf course. :-)
Take care Illinois ladies and stay strong!
Rita
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