Illinois ladies facing bc
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The website its http://www.longgrovecafe.com/
Long Grove Cafe
235 Robert Parker Coffin Rd.
Long Grove, IL 60047
847 955-96001. Rita
2. Mary Jane
3. Smerf (Pat)
4. Michele
5. Laura
6. Kater
(An after thought, I will call the restaurant tomorrow to make sure that they can accommodate our group on that Monday night. I'll post again tomorrow.)
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Hi Girls!
I can't wait to SEE some of you again and to MEET some of you for the first time! Thank you ALL for your kind words regarding our gift to Pat. I really appreciate your support, and I think you all have hearts of gold! That's one of the reasons I keep coming back here! LOL
JANCLARE -
I am so happy your tests came back negative...but I know that doesn't answer all the questions. Been there...done that. I hope you get 100% relief, soon! I'm sure you know, but Tom died...it has been a very difficult 2 weeks. I'm spending as much time with Nancy as I can, as she is utterly devastated.
Wendy & Susan-
Got da checks...thanks girls!
kats -
I have not called the window company, but they're on my to-do list for tomorrow. It's so wonderful that you have accepted the responsibility of raising your g-daughter! That's incredibly admirable. As for the social skills, my niece has been dx'd w/social anxiety disorder. I have found several good books re: this subject at Amazon.com. They have a workbook that you may want to consider purchasing (just key in: adolescent social anxiety). Best wishes to you...congrats to a good report card. I recently read that over 1 million people are raising their children's children! You're an angel in disguise!
Michele -
Thanks for heading this up! Any time, any place is fine with me!
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I'm in! Sounds like it will be a great time! Here's the website of the restaurant for those who are interested in the menu:
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Oh Laura- I didn't know about Tom. That's so sad.
My mother in law had to have surgery last week and stuff was all up in the air, so it may be that my in-laws don't know either- I'll have to tell them. Thank you for mentioning it. 0 -
Good morning to everyone on this frosty Illinois morning! BURR!!!
It looks like it's another "walk inside" day!
Michele, the Long Grove Cafe looks good to me. Thanks for making the decision and getting everything arranged for us. Is this right there in the "shop complex"? If not, Mary Jane and I will probably need some directions as it gets closer. It looks like it will be a fun night. I'm so anxious to see you all again and to meet those of you that I haven't met. Thanks again, Michele!
Laura, so sorry to hear about your friend Tom. Nancy is lucky to have you to help her get through this sad time.
Susan, Like you, my first year scans, etc. are rapidly approaching (Dec. 4th) and I'm getting pretty nervous about them. I had reached a little plateau this past month where I just "tossed the stats to the wind," forgot about my grade 3 rating, and tried to go on with life after bc. Most of the time, I did pretty good. Now the impending tests have me a bit nervous, too so I know how you are thinking. I guess what we have to keep in the forefront of our mind is the fact that stats and grades are only relative. They are not individualized and are only used for help in deciding on treatment plans. The ladies on this thread are certainly unique! I think we can circumvent the stats! Hugs to you Susan as you struggle with this issue and all the emotions that it invokes.
Well, I need to get moving today. The Culligan man is coming to examine our water system and I don't want to scare him away with my early morning appearance!
Hey everybody! Have a good day!
Rita
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I've always heard that death comes in threes. I mentioned my friend Nancy's dh died, but my friend Vicki's boyfriend (48 yrs. old) committed suicide Wednesday night. He was dx'd w/Colon cancer about a year or so ago, but developed mets to his liver and pancreas. Was told 2 months ago he had about 6 months to live. The pain and anguish became too much for him to tolerate. And if this isn't enough...my mom is a retired nurse. One of the nurses she worked with for many years (Shirley, 57 yrs. old) was reently at her summer home in Grand Rapids along with her dog Daisy (her dh died from Kidney cancer 2 years ago!). During the night the house started on fire, and both were found on the lawn, dead from smoke inhalation! They suspect propane gas heating as a possible culprit. It's all so sad in such a short period of time.
Rita/Susan - I know the stress of your upcoming appt. is tough. Like I've reminded you...as time goes by, the stress level does go down. It will never go away competely, but it becomes somewhat tolerable.
Pat -
Hope you're resting comfortably.
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I've become, understandably so, quite angry that enough isn't being done to cure cancer and prevent it with a vaccine. I'm tired of hearing about the treatments, the meds, the diagnostic tools, etc. WE NEED A FRICKIN' CURE. But I have read that a cure isn't profitable, so Pharm companies put all their $$$ toward everything but a cure!
Sorry...to vent...but I'm so frustrated with how complacent our country/world has become with this wretched beast! There's a thread started in the Recurrence forum, addressing this issue. If you're interested, check it out. But again, sometimes ignorance is bliss.
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Laura-I'm so sorry for all the loss and sadness in you and your family's lives. It really makes one reflect on how precious and short life can be. I am so thankful for all the wonderful friends that I have made since my diagnosis, including you and all the others on this thread. I can't wait to see everyone.
Also, can you confirm (as Rita asked), the Long Grove Cafe is right near the center of town right?
I made a reservation for 6:00 on the 26th-is the time ok for most?
1. Rita
2. Mary Jane
3. Smerf (Pat)
4. Michele
5. Laura
6. Kater
7. JanClare
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Add me to the list, Michele. Thanks for arranging this! Look forward to meeting you all.
Sorry to hear all of your bad news, Laura. I have heard about the threes many times. Very sad.
I got my tattoos today and start rads on Sunday. I'm looking forward to getting it over with. After 28 weeks of chemo, I think I can do 6 weeks of rads.
Hope you are feeling ok, Pat. Thinking of you.
Have a great evening everyone!
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Michele - You hit the nail on the head...the wonderful friends we have made is truly special in light of all we've been dealt. Thanks for organizing this.
The restaurant is just east of the gas station. When you are in downtown Long Grove, the Gas Station is quite noticable. But anyone in the area will be able to direct all of you to the rest.
Connie -
You are so young to be dealing with all this. You are an ILC sister, and I've seen your posts at our thread. Congrats on the tats! Sorry...but that rhymes...and I wish you all the best through rads. Most likely, you will find that rads are a slam dunk as opposed to chemo. Keep up the good work, Connie! We're cheering you on.
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Girls - I just hope you can make the most of this weekend...not for any particular reason, but just because it's going to be a weekend! LOL I hope that doesn't sound corny, but really...think about it. Be well...
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Hi Ladies of Illinois:
I am on for the dinner so add another leave (or is it leaf) to the table. Also, thanks Michelle for all your trouble. Who's wonderful idea was this afterall? This is such a lovely "Thanksgiving" idea and we should consider it to be the beginning of a wonderful tradition as we travel this journey together into our futures. I am so thankful for all of you.
Laura, I am so sad for the news.
Jan Clare, I know you must get frustrated with your health. I so admire you for just forging on inspite of it. I would probably hide under the covers. You are so strong and you will see this through.
Connie, I do remember the tattoos. I just loved the rad staff and I hope you have a good experience.
Smerf (Pat) - I am looking forward to meeting my neighbor.
Pat, I am with you right now. I hope you are feeling a sense of peace.
I have missed some here....later
Susan
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Morning Girls!
I'm getting jealous....it seems everybody is getting together on the 26th but me! It is my best friend's birthday so I will be spending that night with her....I never would have made it this past year without her. Make sure and have someone at the restaurant take a picture of all of you...for Pat (and me too!).
Laura....I am so sorry for all your losses. And I know how frustrated you feel. There is a cure coming for cancer some day, just not today probably....but maybe tomorrow!
Connie....rads was a breeze for me...just hated the everyday thing of it. It did go by quickly...hard to believe I was done almost FOUR months ago. I never burned, just a bit tan and no fatigue at all. The skin now is thicker but the breast is still the same size as it was. There is some tightness when I raise my arm but if I stretch it out first thing and continue working out at the gym, it goes away so keep stretching! Oh and my tatoos....what tatoos? They disappeared!
Jan...I agree with zap...I would be with her, hiding under the covers!
Michele....you are really sweet to set up the dinner and go to all that trouble.
Kats....I agree with all the girls....taking on the responsibility for your grandchildren....wow. You are truly admirable
Hope everyone is doing well and I agree with Laura...ENJOY the weekend. I find myself thinking when trying to decide whether to do something I want to do vs something I should do, I ask myself....what would Pat do? So Pat....are you listening...I SHOULD have shampooed the carpets yesterday. I didn't. I moved the SUV and took out the "Z"...put the top down (yep...it was 40 out)...turned up the stereo (and the heated seats) and CRUISED! Thanks Pat for the ride....It was GREAT!
Now everyone....shut off your computer, get off your butt and do something fun with someone you love and ENJOY!!!!!!
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Hello Illinois Ladies. I too am from Illinois and would like to know if anyone is seening a doctor from Rush Hospital in Chicago.. I am new to this site an was just diagnosed with left breast cancer, stage 1, tubular type, no lymp, and clean margins. I had a lympectomy in
May 07 Mother's day weekend and had 21 radation tx. I am not on any meds. Does anyone have thoughts about not taking hormonal therapy if your prognosis is good? I am in limbo here about this and would like your comments. thank you. blackjack
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1. Rita
2. Mary Jane
3. Smerf (Pat)
4. Michele
5. Laura
6. Kater
7. JanClare
8. Connie
9. Zap (Susan)
(Sorry you can't make it Wendy. Would love to have met you-we'll all try to get together again soon.)
Pat- thinking of you and hugs to you.
Connie- rads on Sunday? Do you go 5 days a week or everyday?
Rads were not bad for me either except the 1st day I was switched to IMRT and it was longer than prior treatments with no interaction from the techs-I had a slight meltdown
. But after that day, I had them crank the music (Fleetwood Mac) to drown out the sound of the machine, and then I was ok. I have since bought that Fleetwood Mac cd (Live concert), and some days I turn it real loud in my car, I think about the radiation and for some strange reason it gives me strength and hope. It also reminds me of the rad techs who were so wonderul.0 -
Hi Blackjack....
My onc in out in Geneva but I did go to Rush for a 2nd opinion. I saw Dr. Kaklamani...at the time I saw her she was only there on Fridays but that might have changed by now. She was VERY thorough and I really liked her. But driving from South Elgin to downtown Chicago was so not going to work....Yuck. What a drive!
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Welcome Blackjack - sorry you have to join us. Sorry I can't help you - I haven't been to Rush. I assume you are ER/PR+ and that is why you are thinking about hormonal therapy? I just started Tamoxifen on Thursday and so far so good - no side effects. I guess for me if I had to make a decision, I would go ahead and try the hormonal therapy as at the end of the day I would want to say I did everything I could. Best of luck with your decision.
Michele - yes I have rads on Sunday this week. Just this week because of Thanksgiving. They are working on Sunday so that they can have Friday off too! I guess the rad techs want to go shopping. They didn't move the schedule around for Xmas though. I was surprised that I will still be getting rads on Xmas eve and NY eve. My schedule says I officially finish on Jan 2nd! Wish I could have gotten all the bad stuff in 2007!
Hope everyone is having a good weekend. Kind of gloomy out there!
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Blackjack: I went to rush, had Surgeon C. Godellas and I liked him a lot. (Lumpectomy March 19th) I did not care for recovery room people as mentioned previously, and the nurses who didn't care if I knew if i was having sentinel node biopsy or axillary dissection, which gave me two weeks of scared thoughts before surgery (I did not get to meet with surgeon after I set up surgery date, just initial day with the big meeting wtih all--there is not much followup there, etc.). I went locally to chemo and radiation, thanks to Wendy's lead.
Wendy: Could you bring your birthday friend to our party? It would be great to see you again!
Kater
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Hi everyone!
I just got home from my trip north to see the Jersey Boys. What a fantastic musical! Don't hesitate to see it if you get the chance. It's super!
Pat...I'm thinking about you and hoping that you've gotten some relief from the pain. Hugs to you, dear.
Connie..I'm looking forward to meeting you! I think you'll find the rads much easier than the chemo. Hey...you won't have any trouble remembering this Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, will you? What a bummer!!! Also glad that you're doing well with the Tamoxifen.
Michele....you had music while you did rads????? WOW!!! The only music I got was the buzz of the machine!
Blackjack...welcome to the Illinois thread. I have been taking Arimidex for nearly 3 months now. Except for insomnia which is steadily improving, I haven't had any side effects. I decided to do everything I could to fight this beast the first time around and Arimidex was one of my options. There have been many success stories about Tamoxifen, Femara, and Arimidex.
Wendy...so sorry that you can't join us in Long Grove. I'd love to meet you.
Laura, Susan, Kater, Kats, Nicki and everybody else.........I hope you're enjoying the weekend.
Rita
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Thank you for your expressing your thoughts about hormonal therapy. Since I am only 6 months post surgery and radation I think that I can wait to take these drugs. My 3 month mamogram in Oct was clean so I think I have time. My body is already having hotflashes and loss of sleep so I think I am on my way to the great menopausal state. I try to take each day with a positive thought and tell myself that I am ca free.
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Black jack I was told to take tamoxifen as soon as radiation is over (or as soon as i see the oncologist, week or two after) and after ovaries are out, I'll switch to an aromasin. I got the impression you do not wait...0
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Morning! Not much to say....just saying "hello".
Nicki....missed you this weekend, you and your cheery graphics!
Kater....good idea about bringing my friend to Long Grove, but it is a surprise party so it wouldn't work. She's a good egg and she would have come in a heart beat tho.
Blackjack....it may be that the docs aren't quite sure if you are pre or post-menopausal so don't know which to give you. Maybe you should ask for hormone levels to be run????? This is just another layer of security for you and personally I think it is too important to wait. I was started on Arimidex immediately following rads. I've been on it almost 3 1/2 months and my joints are a little achy in the AM and I have night sweats but that being said....the se's are annoying sure, but I don't like the se's of breast cancer either!
Well...off to Meier's as they have the Christmas tree I want and they are 25% off this week. Shhhhhh....dh doesn't know that he is being dragged out again...yesterday it was off to Bed, Bath and Beyond to use my 20% off coupon to buy a KitchenAid food processor. Oh girls...in the Sunday paper, KitchenAid had a little circular...if you buy one of their products, you get some cash back. I'm getting $20. back so I did pretty good, price-wise.
Have a great Sunday everyone!
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Add JoAnna to the Nov 26 list! From Elgin I think.
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Hi gals,
I'm up bright and early this morning. Unfortunately I don't have Nicki's or Kats's graphic skills so my post won't immediately put a smile on your face or get you going right away! But I wanted to stop in and tell everyone to have a good week. I imagine that everyone will be busy getting ready for Turkey day. Our radio station said that the weather will be unseasonably warm today and tomorrow but there may be a dusting of snow on Thursday. Ladies, I am not ready for that white stuff!!!!! So if they are right about the weather, I guess we'd better enjoy the next few days! :-)
Thinking about you...as always, Pat.
Connie...so what's your first impression of the rads? Did you get serenaded by music like Michele did???? Hope everything is off to a good start for you. Can't wait to meet you next week!
Well, I need to plan my Thanksgiving menu, which of course starts with turkey, dressing, and mashed potatoes and gravy....definitely not on my diet!
Have a good week gals!
Rita
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Well, rads have gone fine so far. My first impression? "Is this it?" I expected it to be quick and easy, but not this quick. I get there early and I am in and out before my official appt time! I'm worried that I might forget to go one day because it is leaving such a non-impression on me. I'm sure this will catch up with me in terms of side effects. The first day, I was not treated to any music, but today they had U2 playing. It was kind of nice.
Not much else new here. Hope everyone is having a nice day! I, too, am really looking forward to that turkey!!!
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1. Rita
2. Mary Jane
3. Smerf (Pat)
4. Michele
5. Laura
6. Kater
7. JanClare
8. Connie
9. Zap (Susan)
10.JoAnna
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Michele
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Hi Girls!
Michele - thanks for spear heading the dinner get-together! I am so crazy busy, I can hardly think straight. If you need any further info from me, please let me know. JanClare posted the link to the rest. I have a coupon we can use. The location is fairly simple...there's 4 corners in downtown Long Grove...the rest. is just a bit east of the gas station just off the north east corner. The town is really small...so just about anyone you ask, would know the LG cafe.
Connie - I really think you're going to fly thru rads, as some do! I was one of them. Not alot of complaints from me, except a little sunburn feeling toward the end. I did get tired, also toward the end, but a cat nap every day for about two weeks helped and that was it! Hang in there...you're a real trooper!
Wendy -
I'm bummed...I thought for sure you'd be joining our crazy Illinois Tough Girl Dinner! I'm N-vious you took your beloved ride for a cruise...topless and all! Ours is back in the shop getting a BIGGER engine installed! ARGhhhhh...I was just getting used to racing it - as is - and then dh gets the bug to modify, modify, modify! LOL Now I have to learn the 1/4 mile all over again! The trade off, however, is that I told him I want to flat bed the Goat this winter to a dragstrip in a warm climate, so I don't have to wait til springtime in the midwest! That's just waaaaaay too long. So we might be hittin the road and headin' for a dragstrip in a warm sunny climate this winter.
Pat - thinking about you...Hoping you're doing okay.
Everyone -
I hope you're all doing well. Thanksgiving has a whole new meaning after a bc DX. Make the most of that day...whatever your plans may be.
I'm swamped...gotta go for now...more tomorrow...
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Morning Girls! Tho rather damp and dreary, I must say I like the temperature for late November!
Connie....I agree with Laura. I am betting you will just do fine with rads. And you guys had music????? I got to look at a blue sky that was painted on the ceiling but all I heard was the buzz of the machine and boy was it quick! I always had that thinking tho, when the machine changed position that the stupid thing was going to fall on me. Techs just laughed and laughed.
Laura....wow. Your little machine will truly be a force to be reckoned with I guess! I may have a fast car, but I just drive it very slowly...about 10 mph UNDER the speed limit. Safety first you know. (yeah right.....if you guys knew me a bit better, you would all now be laughing your butts off)
I am so sorry I am missing yet again a get-together. I am better at days as I am a lazy butt and sit around eating bon-bons and watching the soaps all day so if anyone would like to meet for lunch or a little Christmas shopping at Woodfield during the week, let me know. Or any other mall....
Hey Pat.....thinking about you and hoping you are hanging in there and are comfortable. Hugs and smiles always!
Everybody else, and I've missed most of you...hope your Day is great. Tomorrow is Rita's big day....a one year Cancer survivor. YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!
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And today is Wendy's one year milestone! What a year it has been for both of us. ONE YEAR SURVIVORS..........
We certainly have alot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving and one of the many things is YOU GALS who have helped us get through this last year.
Rita
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CONGRATS TO RITA AND WENDY! Yay, you!
I remember how great it felt to reach that milestone. Many, many more to both of you!
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Thanks Laura!
You are so right. The holidays take on new meaning after a bc diagnosis and I am really looking forward to them this year.
What a gloomy, dreary start to the day! It's raining pretty hard here and they're predicting that it might change to snow later today or this evening. YUCK!!!! I still have some last minute things to pick up for tomorrow's dinner (I don't do pies!!!!) and should pick things up around here so I can get into town early to walk and beat the shopping crowd.
What's everyone doing for Thanksgiving? How many of you have to cook? Anyone have to travel?
Connie...now that you've started the rads, they will go quickly and soon you'll be a rad grad, too! :-) I think you'll do fine. Just use the cream and rest if you do feel tired. There were a few times when I got tired near the end and I just kept going and it only made it worse. Doesn't it seem easy compared to chemo?????
Miss you and your graphics, Nicki and Kats!!!
Still looking forward to see you all next week!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Rita
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Rita and Wendy-
I remember how it felt to reach the 1 yr milestone.
Hi everyone, sending wishes for a nice Thanksgiving.
Until next time.........
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