Illinois ladies facing bc
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Hi ladies -
Just checking in to say hi! It sure seems strange to me that I am almost done with chemo - 2 more Taxols and I am done!!! In a way it seems like it went quickly and in a way it seems like this has been my life forever. Taxol has been pretty easy on me, so 2 more should be a piece of cake. It better be now that they are saying it doesn't help anyway!
I laughed out loud at your statement about men patients, Rita. Soooo true.
Welcome Catherine! Sorry you are in pain, Susan. I hope it gets better. I hope your husband is doing ok, smerf.
Have a great weekend everyone. I look forward to seeing pictures of the models!
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Hi Girls! Where do I begin! It was truly awesome and the experience of a lifetime...I will never forget it and I am so fortunate to have been a part of a truly spectacular evening! Honestly...I was more nervous about walking the cat walk...than I am at the dragstrip! But, it went really well... I have never in my life been treated like such a gueen! Ann Taylor is an INCREDIBLE company...their employees bent over backward to make us models comfortable. They had makeup artists, snacks for us, anything we needed, they were incredibly eager to provide. We each walked out onto the runway, escorted by a well suited male Ann Taylor employee. Each one of us was introduced individually. Here's how it went: The store manager read a model's name ...that was cue to head to the runway. The escort took my arm and walked me up to it. I walked up and down the runway as he read my bio! I really had to fight back the tears...but I did, and managed to keep a smile the whole time. He read that, I am a 2 year bc survivor and in our spare time, me and dh race our muscle car and work in our forest removing the bad vegitation and planting healthy, native species. He said that we have an adorable Maltese, named Buddy Love, that we spoil the heck out of. When he read the part about the race car, the whole audience clapped!...and I did the fists up! It could not have been better. He continued with a description of each item I was modeling...and while he did this I continued to walk up and down the runway. I would stop every few seconds and pivot. OMG It was so cool...LOL Girls...if you're considering buying your friends, family, etc. gifts or gift cards for any occasion, I really suggest you do it at Ann Taylor. They are REALLY committed to helping find a cure for us girls. They gave each of the models a shopping bag filled with goodies. Unbelievable! I never imagined any company could be so generous and so dedicated to our cause. JanClare and I were buddies the whole night. Our families that attended brought us flowers.. quite a few people in the audience had tears streaming down their cheeks. My friend Rena, cried through the whole event...she's the same one that cried through both of the No Surrender team walks. My dh and my mom were teary eyed as I walked the runway. And when all the models were done, we got a standing ovation. JanClare's outfit was adorable, she looked great...I brought sand paper and scuffed up the bottom of my really slippery stilletto boots...and it really worked! Here's one...ALL THE REST turned out blurry...dh had the wrong setting on the camera! : ( But my friend will be e-mailing me some and I'm hoping JanClare go some good ones.
http://i23.tinypic.com/2uqos53.jpg
Sorry this is so long...BUT -
On Saturday (tomorrow) dh and I are racing at Union Grove, WI dragstrip...If any of you want to head over there that would be great! Our Goat is a black GTO - newer model...the weather is supposed to be good...I'll be the one in the driver seat - at the starting line - with a pink ribbon painted on my black helmet...PM me if you would like my cell phone #. http://www.greatlakesdragaway.com/ I hope you're all doing well...I am really tired...I need a hot bath and a warm bed! Be well girls!
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Hello Illinois Ladies,
Sorry it's been a while. Can't wait to see pics of Laura and Jan at the fashion show!
Welcome Catherine!
I finished rads last week-no serious skin issues - yeah!
Feeling good, will continue with herceptin every 3 weeks, until May 2008 (?). Had an echo last week to check why I have a fluttering heart at times (herceptin can cause heart probs). Hopefully it's nothing. My 1 year since dx will be 10/20 - what a year.
My hair is slowly coming in too
Hope everyone is feeling well-
Michele
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Laura is right- It was truly awesome! I'm desperately trying to finish some reports for my husband, so I only have time to post some photos. I do have a couple of Laura, but the one of her on the runway is a little blurry- sorry. I really thought my hubby would know to take a few photos of Laura- but he only really concentrated on me, and just took some general photos of the other ladies. I'm lucky that Laura was one of the women he snapped!
As you can see- we look FABULOUS!
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Oh fiddle sticks...I don't know where to start so here goes....I have been busy since finishing chemo and rads in August. I changed jobs and was trying to get my life back in order. However...I just was still feeling quite bad. The onc. did some testing in the hospital this week and I have mets. It has spread to the liver, kidney, lungs, bone. The only place clear for now is my brain. This is just too much to take right now. I have signed advanced directives and will now decide how to get on with things. This is not what I expected. All my scans were clear in February when I started all this. I did not ever expect it to spread during treatment. Thanks for letting me vent. Not sure what else to say. Keep on fighting....I will......Pat
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Oh Patti, (((HUGS))) That is just so terrible to hear.
I just want you to know that I am with you in spirit and sending you all the love I can. If you need any help at all- anything, please let me know. I don't remember where you are located, but please, if you need someone to vent to in person, let us know, we can find someone to come and be with you. I'm sure you are looking into further treatment options, let us know what has been discussed. It's possible that someone here has more information for you. Please don't drop away from the board- continue to let us know what is happening.
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Thanks for photos, we all are enjoying the happiness the event has caused!
Pat: I am so sorry to hear this surprise attack. Sigh. I see it all as a dark cloud, have been trying to finish my "directives". It's not good to do when you aren't feeling well and are as upset as you must be. I hope you have some good support. I am glad you could take the time to share and show how brave you are to even be able to post about this so soon.
Michele 101 I'm so glad for you that rads went okay. I'm a little over half done and hope it continues like yours!
Smerf, thinking of you and yours, as well and everyone that posts, I'm just so behind in everything, as you can all relate to. Best to hubby.
Jan Clare, guys just dont think like we do! (re: taking photos). 8-)
He was so excited no doubt for you.....
In fact, no one thinks like we BC / cancer girls do...I guess we can be glad we have more insight into life perhaps...
I saw movie "Deja Vu" last night, I saw last half first and it was still very very good! I really enjoyed it. I love when I can escape into a movie.
Afterwards the actors talked about ..."think about it"...when you look into a mirror the reflection is really a few seconds? later than real life (in the show they could see exactly 4 days 16 minutes or something into the past).
There is a lot we don't know and I'm still clinging to the post of someone who said that if we really knew of the wonderful next life there would be too many suicides.
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Pat: I am so terribly sad to to hear your news and know that I am feeling your pain. I can hear it in the words of Jan Clare and Kater that they too feel your pain. I too would be available to do whatever I can to lessen your pain, if I can. We just never know with this disease and we all know it could be one of us. I really do not not know what to say. I too admire your strength and courage to come here and to so simply state the status of your health. Whatever can we do to lessen your pain? Please let us know.
Susan
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Susan (and Pat)
Thanks for writing the words I couldn't seem to find! I wanted so to comment for Pat but didnt know what to say. It's exactly right...we all know it could be one of us and we want to help!! Ditto help from me!
Also, people get along with mets for a long time, I have read....so good luck! And good thing you and doctors are right on it.!
Kater
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I can't write too much for now....I find it hard to use the keyboard. Thanks so much for your support. I meet with the dr on Wednesday to discuss options. The only thing I can do is try to slow this thing down some. I am stunned, shocked, mad, sad, anxious, and feeling rather helpless. Pat
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Kater, I thought your words were just fine.
Pat, I think we are all dazed by your news, yet not nearly as much as you are. When you feel a bit stronger, or whenever the urge hits, tell us a bit about yourself. I know you are a nurse. Perhaps you could tell us about your family, things you like to do when you feel good. Maybe tell us what we can do to make a difference. Not now, maybe never, but do consider a line or two that tells us about you.
On a whole other note, Jan Clare and Laura, I LOVED HOW YOU BOTH LOOKED. Like Pat said, "Keep fighting!" and you ladies did that as you promenaded down that cat walk (why ever is it called that?).
We are headed downtown for dinner and a play. Have a good evening!
Susan
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Pat -
I am also so sorry to hear your news. Please let us know how we can help you. We are all here to listen.
Laura and JanClare - you both looked fabulous! You should be proud.
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Patti,
Rita just told me of your news and I'm so shocked. Please feel welcome to come to the chat room and talk or vent or whatever to help you get thru this. Many of us in chat have mets, including myself. I have mets in my spine and just last week scan results say that my bone is totally healed, everything else is great and bloodwork great. My tumor is stable, they totally expect for it to shrink. I am doing fine....I mean that. JulieAD in chat has mets in several places also is doing fine. Please know that this is doable. I take Aromasin daily and Zometa IVs monthly. The Zometa healed my vertebrae completely...I'm so excited about that. You are in my prayers...Mazy
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Pat....my heart and love go out to you. This disease makes me so mad. It's just not fair. I want you to know that I am here. I am retired and have lots of free days. If you need to vent or need some company, I can come up and spend an afternoon with you. Feel free to PM me any time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Also, check out the mets thread on this site. I think you will find many wonderful ladies who are true inspirations.
There is also a wonderful little book that might help you. It's called "There's No Place Like Hope"...a Guide to Beating Cancer in Mind-sized bites by Vickie Girard. A dear friend gave me a copy shortly after I was diagnosed. I still get it out and read it when I need an "uplift."
Like JanClare said, Please do not leave the boards. Keep us updated and let us help you. You have helped so many of us!!!!!
Sending good vibes your way,
Rita
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JanClare and Laura..............WOW!!! What neat outfits! You both looked so chic!!!! Laura, your description of your walk down the runway, the reactions of the crowd and your families brought tears to my eyes. How utterly touching!
Michele, is your hair coming in the same color that it was and is it curly or straight? I think you said it all, "What a year!"
Hey Kate...half done with rads! I assume you are doing well with them. YEAH!!!
Hi Connie. Well you're nearing the finish line. I also read about the Taxol controversy. I hope that you gals didn't have to go through that for no reason. It really makes you wonder what to believe doesn't it?
Well ladies, I need to try to get some sleep. My son and family are here and are sleeping soundly. We're heading out tomorrow to the Indiana Bridge Festival so a good night's sleep would be super. Maybe if I read for awhile........LOL
Have a good weekend.
Rita
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Mazy, thank you for chiming in. I do not know you, but man I am rooting for you. It sounds like things are now going more your way. What a relief to hear that and I know this will help Pat now too. I am sure I echo all when I say I hate cancer.
It does make me happy that JanClare and Laura can just seize life and have fun and do so in spite of cancer.
The Red Sox just lost to Cleveland. I know that seems trivial, yet in this house it is not!!!!! I guess all things are relative.
Susan
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Susan,
Mazy is one of our Illinois gals. She's from Quincy and she's so amazing. Hope you had a nice dinner and play. We're off to Indiana this morning for more Fall festivals.
Have a nice day. It' supposed to be a little warmer today.
Rita
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Morning girls......hopefully I will be getting a new computer one day soon....nothing like waiting 20 minutes for the darn thing to turn on!
But I waited this am as Kate e-mailed me about Pat.
Pat......crap. I don't know what else to say that the other girls haven't already said. There are options/drugs for you. What can I do to help? I'm in South Elgin so if you are close by and need a hug in person, PM me and I'll come a runnin'.
JanClare and Laura....you girls looked FAB!
Michelle and Kate....glad rads is going well for you. It was so nice when I didn't have to go to the hospital every day!
Mazy.....you sound like everything is working for you. Yay!
Smerf.....hope you dh is feeling better. Didn't know he was an ortho and here I am, offering up my dr! I am an idiot!
Rita....you have a great life. You are always doing some fun/cool/interesting. The Bridge festival? That sounds very cool!
Hope everyone else is doing well!
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Pat- As the other IL ladies have said, know that we are all here for you, and thinking only positive thoughts.
Michele
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Darn, Laura, I only saw your post this a.m. that you were at Union Grove last night. I would have loved to come and see you. Let me know when you'll be there again.
I don't know how I didn't see that post
Michele
You and Jan looked great, how exciting!
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Pat - I am stunned...is there anything I can do? I'm serious...Me, and all of us girls, would help you in anyway. I have wondered a lot about you...I was hoping you've just been busy...please try to remain hopeful...where there is hope, there are possibilities. Gosh...I'm so sorry you have to deal with this monster...we are here for you. And if you need a bc sister to talk to in person...I too am willing to meet or stop by and visit. I will pm you...
JanClare -
Thanks so much for the photos! You look FAB! Please thank dh for me! I appreciate it...I am still waiting for photos from Rena.
Michele - I am so happy for you...YOU ARE A RAD GRAD! The next chapter will be better. And, yes, I will let you know when we're going to be at DA GROVE again... I'm sending you MASSIVE HAIR GROWTH vibes from Hawthorn Woods... Your words...."what a year it has been"...are the exact same words I said at that year end point. I was in such a strong fight mode, that it hit me like a ton of bricks, I was shaking my head, thinking HOLY CRA* - WHAT THE HECK...I hadn't truly ABSORBED all that had transpired...don't be surprised if you feel a touch of this, it's called PTSS - post traumatic stress syndrome...it's normal, but perhaps knowing that it's a possibility, just might help you deal with it sooner...rather than later. I kept blaming myself for not being ecstatic that it was all over, instead I was left feeling quite shell-shocked and devastated. And then once I read here at bc.org that it was normal...I felt so relieved and began to "heal".
Susan - How is your leg pain? I had SEVERE post Mast. pain, and took Gabapentin...it helped, and I have read here that it is being prescribed for bone pain due to AI's and other post bc-meds...have you checked out the hormone forum? Mazy - I'm so happy your situation is under control...you go girl! Rita - I am not a sports fan...but I thought of you during the Cubs "thing"...sorry...maybe next year they'll do it! Are you still walking often? Bummer...is that cart of yours put away for the year? LOL
Catherine - Welcome...it's great that you've joined us!
Connie - You're almost there...the finish line is a great place to be! Hang in there just a little bit longer.
Nancy - I hope your counts are up...and that you're feeling better.
Smerf - Hope dh is doing well...My Mom was a nurse for 28 years, and she always said..."Dr's make the worst patients"! LOL Hang in there...it's great that you two have had each other through times like this. How is your incision doing...sending healing thoughts your way.
Wendy - Hope you're feeling well...I'm bummed we didn't get to meet this summer...
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I hope that I addressed all of you! - Our group is getting quite large! Can I still blame forgetfulness on chemo brain? Hmmmmmmm...I am 1 & 1/2 years post-chemo...it has gotten better, but it's still not 100%. Thanks for all the compliments...I want you all to know that every outing or event pertaining to bc is a way for me/us to add to the awareness of our cause. Yes, it was AWESOME to get new clothes, but what's really awesome, is to be a part of something/anything that sheds light on bc. It was wonderful to be recognized as a bc survivor...but we need a cure. Awareness is what will ultimately lead to a cure. As they say...The squeaky wheel gets oiled...I really believe this. So...with that...be well, keep warm, and remember...us Illinois girls are tough!
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kater -
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...chemo brain! LOL I failed to post to you!...I want to check out that movie...how are you feeling these days? I loved reading that you had a GTO in your driveway...gotta love those goats! LOL
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Feeling great today even though gloomy outside and cold. BRRR (just tired)
You and Jan Clare looked great, thanks for photos.
Yes, that movie was one of the best I've seen in awhile.
You add special meaning to the "GTO silver" photo I will find again someday in my house!
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Talk about chemo brain, last post was to Laura and this is the fourth time I got online just to ask Michele and others...do I need to worry that my hair stubs are not as profuse over my forehead and top of head?!!!! I have about quarter of an inch (last chemo aug 14) mostly towards back and sides of head (dark brown, not too much gray showing "yet"!)
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Kate-I think everyone's hair growth is different. I would not worry at this point. My last chemo (taxol/herc) was 7/24 and I still don't think I have enough hair (covering my forehead)to go to work without my wig. I hate my wig and can not wait to stop wearing it. I keep telling myself 1 more week, 1 more week, and for some reason I'm still not ready to go wigless at work. However, I never wear my wig outside of work. The first hair to come in for me was grey, now it's coming in brown. I used temp. coloring to try to get rid of the grey but it's kind of washed out already. I'm patiently waiting for mine to grow too.
Hang in there-
Michele
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Good morning ladies! I have been on the go already this morning. I had a bone scan and the gal who administered it said that I was in the plus categories, so the bones are great right now. Hopefully the Arimidex will be kind to me! This was such an easy medical procedure that it made me wonder if I was in the right place....no needles.....no poking, prodding, and serious looks....and no nervous reactions or pain! :-) Isn't it strange what we're thankful for these days?
Pat, I hope you are coping a little better today and that you're having more good hours than bad. We will help you through this.
I had lots of fun with my grandsons this weekend again. It's seldom that I get to see them so soon after a visit. We had a good time on the Spoon River Drive and at the Indiana Bridge Festival. The Indiana festival goes another week so I think we'll probably head back to a few other towns next weekend.
Laura...how late in the season do they drag race now in Illinois?
Do you ever haul to warmer climes to race during the winter months?
Nancy...please let us know how chemo #2 goes. We're thinking about you!
I have noticed that this thread has lots of "hits" and people who are browsing. Hey, please jump on and join us! We'd love to have you!
Rita
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Hi Kats, sorry to hear about all the health concerns in your family. I also had a detached retina a little over six years ago. That is very scary.
Catherine
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kats -
Me too...sorry about al the medical probs with your family...keep us posted, I hope it all works out well.
Rita -
Are you sure you had a bone scan and not a bone density test? Please don't be insulted...I know you are very well informed with all the info pertaining to bc, but, at least as far as I know, a baseline density test is usually done when hormonal treatment begins. Just wondering... Also...the track stays open until the first frost...even if the track isn't icey or wet, when the temps drop, the danger of a tire blowout during a race is real high. It's because when you race, you heat up the tires by doing a so-called "burn out" just prior to the starting light. When the heated tires mix with the cold air, it can create the blowout.
Pat -
I understand your original tumor was rather large at 5cm, and you had the sn tested...was it positive? Also, (provided this isn't too personal), I'm wondering what your original dx was?...the er & pr & her2 status? IDC vs. ILC. I hope you're doing okay today. Try to keep us posted.
Michele & kater -
I really hope your hair starts an aggressive growth pattern real soon! One of the girls in my other thread had a slow start with hers, but it eventually grew back to almost the same as it was pre-chemo. Hang in there...
Girls -
I have my 3 month Onc appt. on Wednesday...but I haven't had blood drawn for 6 months! At my last 3 month appt. I checkened out and never went back for the blood draw! I know...not a smart thing to do, but I couldn't help it!...part of me has progressed to a state of denial! But on Wednesday, I will have it drawn...gawd...I just hate this awful monster. I just hate that all of us have to deal with this.
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