Illinois ladies facing bc
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A big hello to all the Illinois ladies. Its the work week so I dont have much time. Sending you this video. You must watch it til the end as chemosabi is doing her dance for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xLi39E9PbA
Nicki
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Nicki-Who is this group? And you are the one dancing in the end?
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Good Morning! Not much time - its the work week but wanted to stop by and say hello.
Mich: The name of that group is Redbone. No its not really me dancing at the end. It was a popular Indian American group from many moons ago - but the song is still great.
HaHa - no its not really me, but I wanted you all to know I was doing a dance for ya to try and brighten your day.
Have a good one.
Nicki
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Morning!
Nicki...I am so glad you are back with your cartoons! Sure makes me smile at 5:30am!
Kate......sounds like Dr Bendre wasn't too worried about your back as he poo-pooed the mri in favor of an ultrasound so that is a good thing. Who would ever of thought we would get so excited with fatty lumps!!!!!
JanClare....glad all your tests keep coming back negative and that you are feeling better these days. How's that "wonky" ankle?
Hey Pat.....today is your last day of rads, correct? Hope your mobility is still fairly good and you are feeling much better. Think about you all the time...
Everybody else....have a great day but bundle up...ran outside in my jammies and bare feet at 5:30 to grab the paper....Whoa!!!! Cold, cold, cold!!!
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Hi ladies -
Sounds like everyone is doing ok. Pat, I agree - no need to send personal thanks - use your energy to keep your strength up. Sounds promising that Wendy can help with insurance issues.
I don't know if it was because it was my last chemo or what, but the side effects seemed worse this time. I think I just wanted it to be over. Usually the Neulasta hits me on Sat. night, but this time it was Friday night. I felt like doo-doo all night and all day Sat. Finally, the body aches felt better on Sunday, but then the leg pain started. It seemed especially bad yesterday. Couldn't sleep much Sunday night because of it, so I was worthless at work yesterday. Slept better last night and the pain is definitely better today, so now I feel like I can almost say I'm done. I can't say that I have had any "sad" moments, but I just don't know how to stop the worrying.
Keep us updated, Kater on your fatty tissue.
Thanks for the dance Nicki!
Enjoy the cold day everyone! I'm not ready for this weather!!
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hi all:
Connie, it got harder with me too as the treatments went on. I think on the first chemo, you are just in lala land because suddenly you are thrown into this scary place and you expect to just die anyway. You are then somewhat pleasantly surprised because it is doable afterall and you are not only alive, you are still working, shopping for food, carpooling, whatever. That is true for many, and I know not for all. For some, it perfectly horrid from day one. And then the novelty of it all wears off, it buidls up in your body and you feel very ill The end is in sight. Then do you do rads? Most thought that was a cake walk after chemo.
I too wonder how Laura is doing. HEYYYYYYYY LAURA! Can you hear us? Maybe her internet is down again. I too have begun to miss her.
It is so nice to hear from Nicki again. I was first greeted by her when I first became a member last June. We talked about Bahai Temple and the Whitehall. It sounds, Nicki, like you are now working with cancer patients and not the old people at Whitehall.
See you all later.
Susan
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Wow, Susan, you sure expressed the chemo progression exactly right. There's no doubt it's cumulative and you explained it perfectly. After I made it through the first four, I broke for radiation. Then I had to come back and do the last two. How I hated to do them and how terrible they were compared to the first ones.
Connie, I think our poor bodies can only take so much and that's why it's so hard to get over the last ones, but rest assured that you do recover and go on. As for the worry, I'm really not sure that we ever get over it. Laura assures me that things become less threatening as time goes by. So far, I've not experienced that. How well I understand your worry!
Nicki......it IS GOOD to have you back! You'll never know how much we missed you and your graphics.
And now for Laura.........where IS she??? You may be right, Susan. Perhaps she's having internet problems again. That would certainly be the pits.
Catch you all later. Have a good day!
Rita
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Nicki- So good to see you back. Understandable about being busy with work and not having much computer time. I remember those day when I was working. Cool video, I remember that song early 70's I think. About the offer to drive to the dinner (if you decide to go) you wouldn't be put out of your way would you?
Rita- Glad to hear the area in your lumpectomy breast is changes brought on by radiation.
Pat- Thinking about you and sending HUGS.
Connie- Hope you start to feel better.
Wendy- Chilly weather for sure but I like it
.I'm not liking the time change, it gets dark way to early.
Until later..................
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Nicki-you had me watching that twice(looked like a guy dancing at the end) and the song was stuck in my head today!!!!LOL
Isn't it your husband that's in a band?
I went for my first haircut in a year today. I had the long greys and baby fuzz trimmed, and around my ears, so now my hair kind of looks like a real haircut. It' still extremely short, but it's getting there. I'll update my avatar when it grows alittle bit more!!!
Kater-How's your hair coming in?
Connie-Congrats on your last chemo!
Michele
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HI GIRLS!
Awwww...thanks for all the search lights! I missed you all too! I have been VERY swamped...with mucho things! I have lots going on in my neck of the woods, not to mention, being a product designer, this is my busiest time of the year. And, I have d-zined my own product this year and am testing the market by way of craft shows, etc.
Pat - I hope you're feeling okay...thoughts are with you.
Connie - Gawd...I remember feeling like you did this past weekend. Hang in there...I promise, it does get better.
Michele - The restaurant on the pond is just east of the gas station. (Isn't that the most ridiculous spot for a gas station? LOL) Can't wait to see your new avatar!
Susan - Hi there! I'm okay...thanks for thinking about me!
Smerf - Glad you and dh are doing well. I hope you get a break soon from Mother Nature!
Nicki - Loved the YouTube! Say hi to the family. Is dh playing at the Mill this Friday?
Kater-Gator - How are you? Is the wound healed or at least starting to heal? Like Michele asked...I too was wondering about your hair? Has it grown more?
Rita - Hi there! Is that cart of yours parked for the winter? Hope not...it's supposed to be 60 deg. this weekend! LOL
Kats - The photos are cute!
Wendy - Hi! Well we never did get to meet this summer - bummer! Our Goat's engine is being taken out and shipped to CA - to the guy who originally built it for repairs. : ( I am really going to miss racing it. But...we might flat bed it to the PINKS dragstrip in AZ this Feb.!
JanClare - Hope you're feeling okay...Hey, will we be walking during the winter? Hmmmmm....
Ann - Hi! Hope you're doing well too! Are the b-aches any better?
Ginny - Hi there!
Pam - Where are you? Maybe you can join us in Long Grove at the end of the month.
Ellen - EVERYONE - hope you're all doing well.
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Hi Illinois ladies,
Just checking in-it's been a long time, since I am now an Indiana lady
. We are doing well-we are extremely homesick for Peoria (who would have thought?!?!?). It's nice that we are just minutes away from Chicago-at least we can get our fix if we need a little Illinois fun.
You guys are meeting in Long Grove?!?! I'm so jealous. How many are going to be there?
Love and prayers, Deb
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Hi! I took my Mom for CT scan today, i sure hope it comes out well. Her OvCa blood count has been a little high, it's been two years since her last 20 months of chemo...(1998, two recurrences 2001 and 2003).
Hair.....coming in mostly brown...very short of course! STill a little sparse in the front but I think it was always been fine in that area, the hair dresser had to take a lot for bangs....
Uncle...the visiting dr. came yesterday and the bed sore was all healed, she said he looked great...thanks to duo derms, too! He has a little spot over a bit, but hopefully that will repair soon. She was going to prescribe some lotion with silver in it, but I think she forgot, I had to leave for radiation.
My last radiation Wednesday!! Then just a mammo in Dec, ovaries out and colonoscopy (i hope). Oh and ultrasound of the crack area. 8-) If only having two extra hours in the afternoon would clean my house!!!
I put a new stray cat in the fireplace, had him locked in the bathroom...he's in a cage and growling at the littlest dog. I am trying to get him used to the crew until I can have a vet check him out. So far my brother in law has not heard of anyone missing a cat.... (i have never used the fireplace for fire, had neighbors in Utica lose two of their kids in a fire in a new house, something about the chimney caught on fire during the night). Also, I can't smell so all the more reason to never have a fire.
Kater
I'm up for long grove, too.
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Kater......today is the day! Kater's a RAD GRAD!!!! YEAH!!!!! Another unique experience finished!!!!
Laura...glad you've been busy testing out your new product but SO glad to have you back. I go to lots of craft shows. In fact, I was in Champaign at the Assembly Hall last weekend to one. Can your product be personalized with permanent marker or pen when purchased...like "The Clark's....2007" or Mary, John, and David...2007 or would that spoil the design and effect?
Connie...feeling any better now that you have had a few days off from the treatments? Thinking of you and completely understanding your emotional turmoil right now!
O.K. Michele and Laura....you two are in charge of where we are going to meet and eat on the 26th. It sounds like we're going to have several that night. Will we need reservations and where is the place of choice? Smerf is heading for Hawaii until Thanksgiving, but she said to count her in for the meeting so we need to add her when counting heads and of course Mary Jane and I will be there unless we have some ridiculous snow storm that cancels our traveling plans...and that's not going to happen!!!!
Deb...nice to hear from you. We miss you, too!!! I went to Peoria a couple weeks ago to the Ladies Lifeshow at the Civic Center. It was so fantastic. Ever gone to that when you were in this area? Are you teaching anywhere?
Susan, have you had any relief from the general aches and pains? How about you, Ginny? Sorry I haven't called to see how you're doing. I'm just hoping that no news is good news.
Thinking of you Pat and hoping that you're coping well. Hugs to you, hon!
Wendy, thanks for getting your personal info to Laura. It is so good to have this. Nicki, Smerf, kats, Susan, MJ, Nancy, Pam, and the rest of you...Laura has put together a personal info sheet for everyone who wants to participate. It gives each of our real names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, date of birth (so we can celebrate life) and diagnosis date. It's a great way to keep in touch and gives us a way to contact each other and celebrate those special times or to be there if ever needed. If you don't mind sharing, please PM your info to Laura. She'll then email you a copy of everybody's info. What would we do without Laura????
Brr...it's cold out there today!!!! I guess I need to write some scholastic bowl questions, clean a little, go into the Mall to do my walking, and grab a few groceries before I go to teach my youth group this evening. Can you believe that I am actually looking for a part time job that gets me out around people? Do you think anyone would hire "an old gal like me?" I'll go crazy this winter if I have to stay home each day, cooped up in this house but I don't want full time work and I don't think I want anything "educational." I just want a "no brainer" job that gets me out and that I can leave behind when my shift is over. LOL
Well...so much for that.
Have a great day, ladies. I hope that weather report is correct and that there's a warming trend on its way for this weekend.
Rita
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Hi ladies - yes I am finally feeling better. Not sure why this one hit me harder physically. I finally felt back in the land of the living yesterday. I still have some leg aches today, but not bad at all.
Count me in on the 26th! Can't wait to meet you all.
Glad you are back, Laura. Also, glad you are busy,busy! Enjoying life is what it's all about! What is your new product?
Congrats on finishing rads, Kater. I'm going for my CT tomorrow to start the set-up process. Can't wait to start so that I can get it over with. One of us finishes and another starts.
Good luck with the job search, Rita. Of course, someone would hire you with your spunk! You are not an old gal. If all else fails, there's always a Walmart greeter -haha!!
I'm sure all of you have heard on the news about the Stacy Peterson disappearance. Our friend (best man at our wedding) dated her sister many years ago. He has kept in touch with their family and he has been all over the news the last few days because he provided an email that she sent him saying she was scared of her husband, etc. Pretty surreal as he has been interviewed by Larry King, etc. Doesn't look good for Stacy and my heart breaks for her little ones.
We are headed to the circus tonight. It's something we do every year with the kids and they love it!
Have a great day everyone!!
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Hi all:
Oh dear, I think I have been getting Kater and Kats mixed up in the past. That was a great video of your grandaughter, Kats.
Laura, so good to hear from you. I still need to iron out some plans before I commit to the dinner in Long Grove. I really want to go and meet with everyone.
Yes, have fun with the job hunt, Rita. Do you like to read? Would you like to work in a bookstore? If you like people, would you like to work in a Starbucks or a cool little coffee shop? I might like to be a receptionist in a nursing home when I retire from teaching. I guess subbing does not appeal to you. I still wonder what I will do when I retire (2008). I know I want to travel a lot. I want to go to places in the US and abroad. My husband is a lawyer and says he will never retire, just reduce his case loads so he can travel with me. We have both worked just about our whole adult lives with me taking just a few years to stay home with my girls when they were babies.
I am getting ready to leave teaching, yet I do not know what I am going towards. I just hope I am going towards a life without BC.
Connie, so happy you are feeling better! The circus sounds like so much fun.
Susan
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Laura, I guess I'm not that familiar with Long Grove b/c I don't know where the gas station is? You pick the restaurant that we will go to since you know the area better. We'll have to get a head count too.
I am such a space, I thought for sure that I sent you a pm to tell you that my sister and I were participating in a craft show last Saturday at Spencer Loomis school in Hawthorn Woods. I checked my outbox after the show and found that I did not send you a message at all. Oh well!
Michele
(Okay, now I remember where the gas station is in Long Grove:)
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Oh My! Just let one day go by. Ya know this thread really does move pretty fast. A big hello to everyone. Its the work week - leaving me absolutely no time. Wanted to say good morning and will try to get back to talk to all of you.
Laura: Irish Mill the whole month of November.
Hoping you all have a wonderful day. If I dont get back, I promise to catch up with ya all on the week-end. Not too far away. Today is Thursday.
Love Ya
Nicki
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Deb - Hi! Glad you checked in. Sorry you're homesick... Any chance you could join us in Long Grove?
kater - I hope your Mom's OVCA is okay!
Rita - I'm working on a way to personalize my product...thanks for the suggestion. It's not an ornament, it's a Yule Log Centerpiece. I'll post a photo soon...just so you know what I'm talking about. And btw, smartie...I think EVERYONE would love to hire you! Your personality and winning smile...no doubt you'll do just fine!
Michele - How was the craft show? Did you exhibit or browse? The rest. I mentioned is called the Long Grove Cafe. The gas station is on the northeast corner and the cafe is just east of it.
Pat - Hope you're feeling okay.
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Everyone - Have a great evening!
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Hello everyone!
The sun is trying to poke through the trees this morning and if it warms up enough, a group of us are going to try to play one last round of golf. Since we're all "weather wimps" it will be a last minute call. None of us likes to be cold!
Well, I went and applied to my first restaurant. The owner didn't laugh at me, but didn't have a place for me either, as I wanted only part time and the only part time help he hires is on the weekends. I wouldn't mind working some weekends but didn't want to work every weekend and really wanted something to occupy a few days during the week....so that wouldn't work. I'm going to follow up on a few other leads that were in the paper today and see what evolves. Everyone is making fun of me and can't believe that I'd like to do this type of work. They just don't understand that I want a job where you go and are around people and then you come home and forget it until it's time to reappear! LOL
And Connie.......I could barely look at the Wal-Mart Greeter the other day when I ran in there! LOL If worst comes to worst.....LOL
Michele, I think you told me once the type of crafts that you do but I have forgotten. Please refresh my memory. I LOVE CRAFT SHOWS and am going to Macomb tomorrow to a big bazaar there. I always find something of extreme interest and the Christmas stockings that I fill always have a few surprises in them!
Does everyone have big Thanksgiving plans this year? This is the year that my son and his family spend with my daughter-in-law's family so I think it will be just Dave and I. I suggested going to the country club for their Thanksgiving buffet but Dave said he'd cook the dinner....turkey and all! I guess we'll see what happens. At least my kids will be back for Christmas this year, which will be lots of fun with the little boys!
Well, I need to get my day started. Have a good weekend!
Rita
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I live in Wheeling, but am out of the country for business for two months. I am a 59 year old grandmother. Also a teacher and like Rita Jean I write items for educational assessments. I had DCIS about a year ago. Last month I had a scare that was either mastitis or inflammatory breast cancer. THe symptoms have not all gone away, and after the punch biopsy and MRI, the oncologist told me "we don't know why you still have these symptoms. Come back in one month and have another MRI!" Anyone know which Chicago area hospital does the most with inflammatory? I am thinking of going down to Northwestern, or possibly Loyola.
I love Chicago, although I was raised in Minnesota. I love flying into Ohare at night and seeing all the street lights laid out in perfect rows all the way downtown.
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Motheroffoursons....welcome to the Illinois ladies. I'm glad that you found us but sorry that you had a reason to come looking. The ladies on this thread are wonderful and will try to answer your questions. Since I'm south of Chicago, I'll let one of the Chicago area gals give you some suggestions about treatment centers in that area. I can see why you'd want to follow up on the symptoms. It seems that scares seem to pop up regularly around here but usually that's just what they are........scares! We'll hope the same is true for you.
How many grandchildren do you have? I just have two little boys but simply love being a grandmother! Isn't it great????? Did you teach and then branch off into the question-writing area from there?
I'm still writing the questions but looking for a different type of job also to get me out around people more. It may be a challenge to find what I'm looking for! Not everybody thrives on hiring 60 year-old-women! LOL
Come back and post often. I'm sure one of the northern gals will give you some advice shortly. In the meantime, breathe deeply and hang in there....and if at all possible, enjoy your out of country business trip.
Rita
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Does anyone have two cents for my friend who is giving a presentation tomorrow for teens and tweens with mothers with breast cancer?
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Hi Rita Jean, I have 4 grandchildren to whom I am terribly attached. I taught science and worked in an orphanage overseas for many years (that is where I am now, in the West Bank). I am scheduled to come back Jan. 9th unless I go into panic mode.
One year ago, I had DCIS, larger tumor, SNB(clear), lumpectomy, rads, and am on Tamoxifin. The beginning of Oct. I woke up with a huge red breast with the orange peel texture, no temp. I freaked out when I looked at pictures of inflammatory breast cancer on the internet because I matched perfectly! Standard treatment is a week of antibiotics to rule out mastitis. Firey red turned to pink, somewhat swollen, and still some orange peel skin. During the next two weeks I had two mammograms, ultrasound, tumor markers, MRI, punch biopsy, and still no diagnosis. They said if it does not change, have another MRI in a month. I feel like they are waiting for me to go from stage IIIB or C to Stage IV as it is easier to find! That is why I want to know which center in Chicago area does the most work with Inflammatory. I see it between Loyola and Northwestern. Anybody know about anything out there?
By the way, I see from all the emails that this is a very "social" group. Maybe when I get back from overseas I can join you one day.
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mother of 4: I went to Rush, the surgeon was great but I didnt feel very supported in any other area there, I was dx'd in February and had surgery in March.
I have heard good things about Northwestern, but while at Rush one girl said she waited 3 months to get biopsy, even northwestern put her on hold! (she was young, had 2 year old and tumor was so large she was having chemo first.) She was going to litigate.
But others love northwestern. I read one study that univ of chicago was rated 6 in cancer and rush 36...so maybe also check out the ratings, google that somehow, too.
I understand you want someone who specializes and that sounds smart to me!
Kater
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Hi:
Rita, do you even have to tell them your age? You may be 60 but you look 48 and I am not just flattering you. I take it the Star Bucks does not turn you on. I heard that people love it because the same people come in for their lattes and it is a fun job! What about a library? Waitressing and hostessing in a restaurant is a very hard job!
Mother of four: I live in Northbrook, just five minutes away. My mom is in a nursing home in Wheeling. Forgive me, but I never knew that they couldn't diagnose IBC. I just never knew that. Why can't they and what are they waiting for to show it to be that or not that? Are you other ladies aware of that situation? So there is no tumor in IBS that shows up on an MRI? Of course you are anxious. I would be a basket case (you will find, once you get to know me, that it doesn't take much when it comes to BC and my erratic anxiety level). I had all my work (lumpectomy, chemo, radiation) with Evanston. My doctor is in Highland Park. I am on an HMO so I did not have choices. I have confidence in my doctor if you would like a second opinion, I could pass it on. I am a teacher too and and grandmother. I retire June 08.
How are the rest of you? I did field trips all week. We trapsed about Chicago and went to museums. Hope all of you have a great weekend.
How do I pm Laura with my information? I know I did it once, but I need a reminder where I can find that. Also, what infromation am I giving.
Susan
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zap, i emailed laura, maybe she will get to you through pm easier...
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Motheroffoursons....Just a quick note...I am a nurse and used a few connections and got my 2nd opinion from Dr Kaklamani from Northwestern. She was great. Now .... I do not have the same dx as you but I am sure NW does a huge amount of IBC. I got in to see her very quickly,within one week and as she is only in on Fridays (well...now that was in Jan so who knows) so if you want to see her, you may want to try and set up an appt. ASAP as it may take a while. Hope this helps!
Keep checking in with us...one of us may have another suggestion for you. Where are you located? Maybe a local hospital has a huge population of IBC that they are treating that you don't know about...or I could ask my Onc or the nurses, if you want.
Enjoy your trip, tho....have fun!!!!!!!
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Susan, All you have to do to PM a person is to click on their name by their avatar. Then the screen comes up that gives you the option of sending them a PM and gives you a place to type. You just click send when done. I'm sure Laura will contact you, but thought I'd pass on this info in case you ever want to PM somebody else.
As for the Starbucks....that doesn't sound too bad. I went to a little shop in the Mall today and put in my application for part time. The owner wasn't there so I didn't get a chance to speak with them. This shop is a really neat specialty shop. I also interviewed for a restaurant job but they required you to work either Saturday or Sunday every week. I wouldn't mind working a few weekends but this would really limit what you could do if you had to work one of the weekend days each week, so I told them I wasn't interested. I think that's what I'm going to run into with the restaurant work. There is a bakery opening with the restaurant and they needed counter people, which didn't sound too bad. Eeeeee Gads though! What would that do to my diet???? I've done so good. I've lost 9 pounds since the walk on my adapted form of the Weight Watchers Core.
Mother of 4 sons: We have a lot in common! I was a science teacher, too at the JH level and did Science Olympiad with my crew. We did pretty good for a little rural school and even made it to state four times. As for the gals on this thread, you're right! We're pretty social. We seem to have a strong bond and are there for each other when it's needed. We met this past spring/summer at JanClare's house and then some of us walked in the Chicago walk this fall. Since I'm going to be up in the area the last week in November, we're planning a dinner meeting in Long Grove. Keep in touch with us while you're gone and please join us when you get back. After reading your symptoms, I can see why you are worried and scared. I'd be the same way!!! We teachers have pretty good "gut instincts." Listen to them and if you feel you need to come home and get this checked out, just do it! Like Susan, I can't believe they haven't been able to give you a diagnosis or explanation for the swelling and orange peel texture. If I've learned one thing after going through this experience, it's that we have to be pro-active when it comes to dealing with some of these doctors and our own treatment plans. Please let us know what you decide or find out. My thoughts will be with you.
Pat, I hope you are doing better! Hugs to you across the miles. I will probably call to check on you and "bug you" sometime this next week. Until then, rest assured that my thoughts and prayers are with you, dear.
Well, everyone, I'm searching out the recliner. Have a great weekend!!
Rita
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