Illinois ladies facing bc
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Well, I'm a one year survivor! Today is one year since the doctor called to say "You have cancer". It sure has been a wild and bizarre ride since then. Just glad to be here and feeling so well now. But then again, I felt pretty darn good/well before I got the news. I think that was the most unreal part of everything. The perception of going from being what everyone would consider a healthy person to being "diseased" all in the space of a second because of one word- cancer.
Feeling better every day- and that's what counts now!
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Oh Jan...CONGRATULATIONS!!!! The worst year is down and this next year will be so much better.
I think we all relate to being healthy and going to "diseased" in the matter of a few seconds. It really stinks! But...you've got a hard year behind you now and you have the determination and strength to beat this disease and you're well on your way to doing so.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Rita
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I went to the doctor today and got my results from my bone and cat
scan. Bone scan was good. On the cat scan they found a lymph node in my tummy area that they are going to watch. That one lymph node was enlarged which is usually not a problem but with my
breast cancer diagnosis they want to watch it. I will have another cat scan in December to see what it is doing. I also started Armidex
today. Kind of scared of what the Armidex is going to do to me. The doctor also wants me to get a bone density test and mammogram from my primary doctor. Which I go see on the 15th. So much stuff to do.
On another note, my oldest son will be going to Afghanstain in Feb.
He will be going to Ft. Bragg,NC in November. Then to Afghanstain.
He is going to be driving a convey truck with supplies to deliver to the troops in the field. He is excited but mainly for the extra money he will get. He is coming up here in the first part of November. He has to get a will and then he is going to give me power of attorney.
My daughter had moved down to where my son lives and is now on her way back up here. She got a job offer from her old employer and since she will have to move back again, she figured she would go ahead and do it now.
It seems there is always something going on. Never a dull moment for me....
RITA......when are we going for that drink???? I think I need one.
ginny
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Hi all:
Well, lots of news. Jan Clare, congratulations. You and I are about one month the same. I had surgery on September 11 of last year. I understand how you feel. I too felt just great. I always joke that my husband and I took a 35-mile bike ride two days before I got word I had cancer. Surreal! Yoou look wonderful and I know you are in great shape what with the walk you are training for. You inspire me to try to get into better shape.
Ginny, I am so happy the scan cam out okay. I have been on arimidex since February and I am not having much trouble. I know Rita has trouble sleeping. If anything, Ihave trouble staying awake and that has nothing to do with the drug. I do get achey muscles, but I can accept that if it works tokeep cancer away. I do yoga (mostly streches) andthat so helps me feel better.
I know it must be on your mind that your son is going over seas. I just cannot imagine.
This weekend is the Chicago Marathon and no, I am not in it. Several friends are in it so we are going to watch.Susan
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HI GIRLS:
I will write more later...we're all at differant stages of our dx's and our treatment, so I wanted to share something with you that I recently read/saw...it made me think of all us here.
Be nice to everyone you meet today, because they too, are fighting some sort of battle.
That has stuck in my mind...and it's oh so true. Be well girls...
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Hi:
Have any of you heard about vitamin D and arimidex? I just heard that women on arimidex generally are lower in Vitamin D per blood tests. The latter is suppose to reduce bone pain (if you get that) as Arimidex causes the liver to not properly metabolize vit. D from food supplies (milk and fatty fish). My primary actually suggested a blood test to check my D level. They are also linking cancer to lowered vitamin D levels! So I ran to Osco on my two very achey legs, feet....and grabbed a bottle of Vit. D. I will let you know what happens.
Rita, maybe just try it for the insomnia. It may do a big fat nothing, but I do not think it could hurt.
Susan
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Morning Ladies! The elusive Wendy returns!
First...Susan....Vit D you need to take with the Calcium that you take 'cuz arimidex sucks the calcium right out of your bones. And the D enables your body to absorb the calcium AND studies are now showing that D helps cancer cells not to form. When I went on Arimidex my onc also put me on 1200 mg of calcium and 1000 U Vit D (I couldn't find one pill that had these amounts so I take 2 600mg calcium and 1 pill, 1000U Vit D3 (D3 is supposedly better). I use Walgreens brand as I am cheap!
Girls...the pictures from the walk were great and you all look so good. Thanks for doing the walk for ALL women, and those women yet to come. And for the models....well...I knew JanClare and Laura would be great at this! Sounds like you had a ball!
Ginny....sounds like your scan was pretty much OK but your son! Not having any children I cannot imagine what you are feeling but you have got to be so proud of him.
JanClare.....CONGRATS!!!!!! One year!!!! I guess since I got the "Official" word on 11/25/2006...is that my one year? Or is it on 11/20 when they got it all, but margins while clear not quite big enuf or is it 12/8 when they got slightly bigger margins and took the nodes? Or is it 12/12 when I got the word that the nodes were clear? I think I will pick 11/20 since that is when it all was removed.
Sad note....my Dad passed 10/1. He was 96 so a good long life. The wake was long but it was good to see all the long, lost relatives. Seems like I am the only one with BC and everyone was asking so many questions...it gave me a great opportunity to lecture all of them about early detection! I am sure I either bored them silly or scared them to death...but I am on a mission!!!!
Laura....good saying to remember. You never know what the person next to you is going thru. A simple smile can make a crappy day for someone, a little brighter. I'll try to remember that. Thanks.
Rita....well....I think you are an amazing lady and I hope to meet you one day.
To all the rest, I wish you easy treatments this week, and nothing but good results!
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Susan -
I just read about vitamin D and its possible link to cancer, even perhaps instrumental in the development of a cure.
Girls - here's the linkie:
http://community.breastcancer.org/topic/7/conversation/692531
JanClare -
Congrats!
Wendy -
Glad you checked in...we were wondering about you. Sorry about your Dad...96 is amazing! I'm glad he had such a long life. dh and I are taking the Goat to Famous Freddy's this afternoon - wanna meet us there? It's just off of Rand Road just south east of Moretti's...it's on Fox Lake. Have you ever been there?
Girls -
Friday night I raced the GTO at the 1/4 mile drag strip. It was lots of fun...my "times" were ,good, but not great! My best time out of 3 races was 12.5 seconds
. The guy that built our engine wants me to pull low 11's 
..yikes...I need lots of practice 
! LOL Here's a photo...I'm driving the black car...the purple car (I think it was a Dodge Charger) beat me by 1 second...but my RT - reaction time - to the green light was better! LOL Our Goat is 592+ hp... even though we have racing tires on it, when I floored it, the back end fish tailed, so I lost a couple of seconds with that! bummer...LOLHave a great day! Gotta go, go, go! LOL
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Hey Laura.....Would have loved to meet you at Freddie's (yep....been there!) but it's "Thank You" notes day for my sister and I!
Also....My Dad was almost 96 1/2 at his death and he was dx'd with BC at age 82 so he was an almost 15 year survivor....I just thought of that !!!!!! Yay Dad!!!!!
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Have been too busy taking care of sick hubby. Had him at the Er finally on Friday, after days of severe back pain. MRI shows herniated disc, and we're probably looking at surgery Tuesday or Wednesday. Tomorrow we see the ortho, neurosurgeon and internist for pre op, and I get the first stitches removed from my breast reduction. The fun never does stop! He's in good humor at least, but terrible pain which morphine and vicodin don't touch. They took him to the OR Fri to do an epidural, but that didn't work either. This will be a re op because he had the same surgery 19 years ago. and I hope it works as well ths time. I haven't worked as an RN for a long time, but I have had my share of private duty patients in the family. Time to pay him back for being so good to me these last two years of bc.
Congratulations Jan, you really kicked cancer's butt! You are an inspiration, and I don't know how you do it all. I'll be there in spirit Thursday for you and Laura, and I'm sure you'll have a ball!
Ginny I can't imagine what it would be like to have a child serve, but you and he will be in my daily thoughts and prayers.
Susan One of my docs did check my D levels, and they were in the low normal range in spite of taking multivit and calcium with D every day. She wants me to use 800u of supplements daily, in addition to that. She thinks she can "tweak" my immune system which is not so good since chemo. I don't know about that, but I'll try it for awhile. You can cause elevated calcium from too much D, and I don't want to go through that. It does have to be D3. My hair return is not so good, and she hopes to improve things, but I'm very skeptical. This month will be my one year anniversary from finishing rads, so my onc isn't looking for hair improvement anymore.
Everyone else, have a beautiful day! My patient is calling so I must run.
Pat
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Wendy -
Maybe next time!
Ginny -
I hope all goes well for your son...we'll keep him in our prayers. Remember, though...Illinois guys are tough too! Keep us posted re: your Dec. CAT scan.
smerf -
Geesh...from flood to reduction to herniated discs! Hang in there...hope all goes well with dh's surgery.
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Well you have me convinced. I'm going out to buy some Vitamin D I have been taking calcium supplements with the Arimidex but it looks like I should also be taking Vitamin D, too. Funny that it was never mentioned to me and wouldn't it be great if it helps with the insomnia?
Laura...loved your racing picture! That looks like so much fun!
Wendy, so sorry to hear about your Dad. It's always hard to lose a parent regardless of their age. I still find myself thinking about my Mom and the week I was so worried about the recurrence, I wanted to be able to talk to her so badly. I've just worked at remembering all the good things we did together and it has helped.
Smerf........oh my gosh! You have really had quite a time of things lately. I hope that dh's condition improves quickly. That is so painful!
We went on the Spoon River Drive yesterday and just drove from town to town to shop for crafts, flea markets and antiques. It was so much fun and I thought about you, Susan and your passion for antiques. You would have loved it! I did find some unique Christmas gifts and really tried to watch my diet this year. Usually I just eat my way around. There are so many good things but this year I did pretty well. Of course I had to have one of those pork chop sandwiches and we had homemade cinnamon ice cream. Um, um good! We're going back next Saturday to a different part of the drive and then going to the Indiana Bridge Festival on Sunday. My son and his family will be back to join us next weekend.
Those darn Cubs!!!! I'm utterly depressed. How can any one team look so good during the regular season and so rotten during the playoffs? I guess it's time to say, "Wait until next year!" :-)
Well gals, I hope you're all doing well. We haven't heard from Nancy or Mazy this week so hopefully they will check in.
Enjoy the rest of this beautiful weekend. Hey, I bet some of you have an extra day off tomorrow! Enjoy it!
Catch you all later.
Rita
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Just a short note smerf......
I too had a herniated disc at L5-S1 and had vicodin, morphine, demerol and also the epidural. HOWEVER.....dilaudid was wonderful, but only for 2 hours as you know! I woke up from surgery while the neuro was explaining that they were going to load up my pain pump with dilaudid for my pain and I said....What pain? 6 weeks later and still no pain! Don't know where your Dad is but I had my surgery at Delnor by Dr Brayton if you need a name.
Hope he gets relief and soon! Oh so ouchy-ouchy!!!
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Hi:
The marathon was a disaster. We were rooting for several runners. They just shut it down due to the heat. So sad after 6 months of training.
I am not sure how I should self-medicate on the calcium/vitamin D. It sounds kinda hit or miss. My doctor said to take Vitamin D but did not specify how much and never mentioned Vit. C. Any ideas on how to begin?
The drfag race looks so wonderful. I wish I could be brave enough to rev up an engine in a drag race. I would have an anxiety attack just watching you do that, Laura, but I so admire your spunk.
The pain of a herniated disk.....ah yes, how I remember that pain. It was the same year my daughter ran her first marathon...three years ago. I took that medicine (dilaudid) in desperation. I remember my husband asking me how I was doing and responding, "The pain is no longer in my body, the pain is next to my body." I remember his look of horror when I pointed to the pain on the bed next to me. I hope your husband, , is doing better.
Rita, thanks for the pictures. I was so happy to relive that moment with you on the walk. I so admire how you and JanClare have such wonderful figures. I must work on mine. Did they have funnel cakes along the Spoon River drive?
Spent the day on the marathon until that went south, watching the Red Sox game with my son-in-law and Adelinine, and now the Bears game. They are currently losing 0-7 to Green Bay.
Have a great week, ladies. Thanks for all your good words!
Susan
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Susan...they have everything imaginable to eat on the Spoon River Drive. Funnel cakes, elephant ears, ribeye and pork chop sandwiches, corn dogs, homemade baked goods, chicken and noodles, tacos, apple dumplings, peanut brittle, stuffed baked potatoes, thin onion rings, homemade ice creams, kettlekorn....and the list continues. I can't believe I was so good this last week.
And speaking of being good, I'm off to the grocery for fruits, veggies, and lean meats. I've walked my three miles this morning and think I'm going to do an adaptation of the Weight Watcher's Core diet. It's long past due. I lost 2 pounds last week by adapting that and had a few "treats" throughout the week.
I talked with Mazy on chat last night. She said her bones have healed and now they are expecting the tumor in her spine to respond more and shrink. It was a positive report!!!! Yeah Mazy!
Hope Nancy and everyone else who is going through treatment is doing fine this week. I'll check in later.
Rita
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Hi Girls -
Hope you're all doing well...
Mazy -
Hang in there!
Isn't this weather great! I wish it could be this nice for the next 5 months! I'm really busy lately, but wanted to touch base with you. Have a great day...
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Hi Illinois ladies!
I wanted to let you know that the Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is starting several Community Volunteer Groups (CVGs) in Chicagoland! CVGs represent the YSC as volunteers in a local community and are organized solely to support the YSC mission. We will serve as a point of contact for young women affected by breast cancer by coordinating informal networking opportunities and raising awareness in our communities by distributing YSC materials to local hospitals and breast cancer organizations.
If you are a young breast cancer survivor (or just young at heart) who wishes to be in touch with other survivors in your area, please use the links below to contact the CVG leader:
DuPage County: yscdupage@yahoo.com
Kankakee County: ysckankakeeco@yahoo.com
McHenry County: ysc_mchenrycty@yahoo.com
Will County: yscwillco@yahoo.com
We look forward to furthering the YSC's mission in Chicagoland! For more information on the YSC, visit http://www.youngsurvival.org/.
Enjoy this beautiful Chicago weather ladies (how often can we say that???)!
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Hello:
I am just feeling well enough to do things and get back to where I was and I have another treatment Thursday. That's okay, I am going to do much better this time. I have Emend and haven't found anyone that said it didn't work. I have to talk to the onc about my low white count and see if he thinks I am going to be homebound the weekend before the treatment, this is messing up my life!
I loved seeing the pictures, how cool to see the excitement of the walks. Rita's description of the Spoon River Drive made me hungry, I love that kind of food.
I am so glad to hear about Mazy's results! She is my inspiration!
Zap: A friend of mine from New Orleans was in the marathon, I have to call her tomorrow and see how she did.
I hope everyone is doing well, I keep you all in my prayers.
Nancy
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Nancy....you are so right! You are going to do much better this time. I never got to try Emend because of insurance issues but I've heard of NO bad results from it. You should have alot more good "in-between time" with it. Anyway, my thoughts and prayers will be with on Thursday and the days that immediately follow. It's so good to hear from you! Please update us so we know how you do!
Rita
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Hey Laura and JanClare.....Tomorrow is your big debute and you will be walking down the runway in your new clothes, looking charming and smiling! How I wish I could be there to see you! I hope it goes wonderfully. I will be with you in thoughts!!! Be sure to have somebody take pictures to post.
Go knock em out ladies!!!
Rita
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Okay, I have been the Arimidex Poster Girl. I have only slightly bad-mouthed this drug. I am now experiencing very real leg pain. My leg hurts (not horribly, but like a dull headache except in the leg). Of course I am now thinking BONE CANCER. I refuse to see a doctor for two weeks as that means another scan, another worry, another long wait for hopefully good news. I have had two scans already because I went to my primary with concerns. Oh, I am so sick of the worry. Anyway, here is a link about Arimidex for all those hwo may be taking it and who may also have bone pain. GEEESH!
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Gosh darn it, Susan. It's always something that causes us to worry with this disease. First of all, leg pain and joint pain are the main side effects of Arimidex, so erase the idea that you have bone cancer from your mind. It would be very unlikely this soon after treatment, and Arimidex is noted for that symptom. I won't tell you to "not worry" because I know you will. We all do, but we don't need the additional stress. Do you really think that your oncologist (that's who I'd ask about this) would make you go through another scan? Mine told me that if I had trouble with Arimidex, he would switch me to Femara without any qualms. He said that those who can't tolerate Arimidex usually do fine with the Femara. Femara has not been on the market as long as Arimidex and so all the trials are not conclusive yet, which is why they still prescribe Arimidex first.
If I were you, I'd wait a few days....you know that famous 7-day rule...and if you are still experiencing the pain, I'd call my oncologist and talk to him or her. You might ask about switching to something else and see what reaction you get from them.
Have you taken anything for the bone pain? Does it respond to over-the-counter pain meds?
Susan, I completely understand the worry. It just doesn't seem to go away and when it does leave for a week or two, something else pops up to get us worrying again. Your scans have been pretty recent so it's highly unlikely that anything has developed since they were done. Hang onto those words and the fact that Arimidex is noted for the leg and joint pain. Try a few over-the-counter pain meds if you haven't done so and see how they work.
Let us know what you decide to do.......or if it magically disappears!!!:-)
Hang in there.
Rita
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Our McAfee security update hasn't allowed me to send messages. I want to wish laura and JanClare luck for tomorrow, and we'll be with you in spirit. My husband had successful spine surgery yesterday, and is now feeling very sore, but so much better! He has his own ICU nurse here, but she's a bit tired these days.
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Susan I'm so sorry about the pain. I have a friend on Arimidex, and she has that same problem. Some of the docs say it gets better with time, but I don't know. Triple neg here. I would love to meet you for a cup of tea sometime after school. I'm in East Glenview, very close to the intersection of Waukegan and Glenview Roads.
Wendy Thank you for the offer of help. My husband is an orthpedic surgeon, so we have doctors all over the place. Nobody likes to operate on a colleague! They didn't think the epidural would work because his MRI was clearly an extruded disc. They didn't leave the catheter in, but the initial shot took the edge off the pain for a few hours. Then, back to vicodin all weekend. He had surgery yesterday morning, and I brought him home in the afternoon. He's doing great, but there seems to be some nerve damage. Now all we have to do is recover from the surgery, and that's the easy part. He used on ortho doc and a neurosurgeon at Lutheran General. We're seeing both again Monday, and I'm betting he will be much improved by then.
I have sciatic nerve pain, but it's more chronic and surgery is not indicated. We're a great couple, without a good back between us!
Nancy Emend is wonderful, and I'm sure you'll do better this time. Hang in there!
Goodnight all, and be well.
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Smerf...so glad your hubby's back surgery was a success. I wish you luck with your patient. I've found that men aren't always the greatest patients in the world. LOL
Laura and JanClare....today is the day you will shine! Can't wait to hear all about it!
Connie, Michele, Kate, and Wendy....how are you all doing?
I have really been "toeing the line" and staying with a healthy diet. I've even been rewarded by shedding a couple of pounds. I've also been on my 3 mile a day walking routine but it was so cold out yesterday morning when I took off that I came back after about a half mile. I need to go hunt out warmer clothes because a golfing friend is willing to walk the three miles with me this morning and I hate being cold. Last year I migrated to the Mall when it got cold out and walked a three mile track there each morning before the stores opened. That's o.k. but I live about 8 miles out of town and it's a pain to have to run in every day. Gripe, gripe, gripe.....let's face it, I'm a warm-weather person who's displaced during Illinois winters. LOL
Hope everyone is doing well this chilly morning. Been thinking about you Nancy and hope the Emend does the trick. Be sure to let us know.
Rita
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Rita, you are a master of understatement! Men can be bad patients, but doctors have a category but all to themselves, and it is beyond bad! It's worse when a doc's ailment is in his own field of expertise such as herniated disc in an ortho surgeon. LOL At first he was barking orders at all of us, but finally I said PLEASE be the patient and let everyone do their jobs. We heard laughter from behind the curtain, and it was from the patient in the other bed and his wife. Then even my hubby laughed in spite of the pain, and we settled him into the hospital bed. Luckily the other guy was getting ready to go home, so we had the room to ourselves for the duration.
Three miles is so great Rita! I'm doing only two on the treadmill, and for awhile I thought chemo weight was going to be permanent. It is coming off slowly the last few months, and I'm almost back to pre chemo after more than a year out now. You look wonderful, no doubt your active lifestyle keeps you young. I'm 62, and I have to say to everyone that 60s have been so far great, in spite if bc dx at 60.
Have a great day, everyone!
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Hello, I was diagnosed with DCIS in May 2003. I had a lumpectomy and numerous tests. My area was small so I did not need radiation and I chose not to take Tamoxifen.
I am doing fine now and have lived in Glenview, IL for the past 26 years. I grew up in Northfield, IL but lived in London, UK for two years.
Catherine
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Thanks for all the encouraging words. It really helps that you mention, Smerf, that your friend has the same problem with pain in the leg while taking Arimidex. I can live with this pain! I just want to be sure it is Arimidex that is causing it. I do feel much better. Thanks! It sounds like your husband needs you right now, but we will get together when he is feeling well.
And that moves right into Catherine, who I think is new. Hi Catherine. Oh my goodness, Catherine has over five thousand comments. You are not new...just new to me.
I love London. We've been several times. Both daughters studied abroad there and one is going in March to to visit a friend who is teaching there. I would love to go again.
So thanks again forthe words of encouragement. I am excited to see pics of our models.
Susan
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Hi Catherine,
Welcome to the Illinois ladies' thread. We're so glad that you're doing well and that you found us. Come back and post often.
I'm jealous of you and Susan. I've never been to London!!!! Wow!
Rita
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Dear Rita:
Do not be jealous! Take the teacher pension check from November and go to London! I only met you briefly but I know already you would love the place. The cool thing about retirement is that you can take trips and get good deals. As teachers, we can only travel during the summer when rates are high! I am excited to be retired (2009) so I can get good deals!
I am so much more better about the leg pain even though my leg still hurts. I am convinced now, after researching a bit and Smerf's affirmation by her friend, that Arimidex is causing my pain. In a weird sense I feel lucky I have a cancer that responds to Arimidex as it works well to conquer cancer cells. I guess I can live with the leg pain if it does what it purports to do.
I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend. I forget when the women are strutttn' their stuff at the fashion show. I expect pictures!
Susan
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